Atlanta Zoo Pandas

[carly]

Video of the new kids 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE_XyMaKua8#ws

[Donna]

Look at them!! Bobbles!! Thanks Carly

[MAK]

They're so cute! 

[Kris G.]

http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=d9031a7794b0f73577cc878c5&id=638bf419fa&e=c26951a69b

[Kris G.]

Panda Updates

Friday, July 26
Night shifts in the panda building have been quite enjoyable so far. The nursery staff, our Chinese colleague, Deng, and Lun and family have all settled in to a nice paced routine. We try to keep the noise and lights to a minimum so all the bears can get a good night’s rest. In the evenings it is just the bears, a nursery keeper, a vet, and Deng. I have really enjoyed getting to know Deng and have learned so much about Chengdu Research Base and his experience with raising cubs. Now however I rarely get to see him! He too has finally settled into a routine and is able to catch up on some very much needed rest during the late night shift. During these early days he is never too far, and usually can be found sleeping in his chosen makeshift bedroom in the den next to Lun.  While the cubs are doing great and everyone has adjusted to the routine we are so grateful for his expertise and devotion to Lun and the cubs.

 
While everyone is sleeping what do the rest of us do? We monitor Lun and the cubs, drink a coke, stimulate the cub in the incubator to urinate and defecate regularly, take his body temperature, drink coffee, follow our cleaning/disinfection schedule, keep up on all our record keeping, drink another coke, get Lun’s next meal buffet ready, clean the incubators, have some coffee, then turn around and realize the sun is up and the next shift has arrived. I will be the first one to admit that even though my sleep patterns have been totally turned around, I am really enjoying these nice quiet hours with the bears and our incredible staff.
Jenny
Keeper III, Carnivores

[Kris G.]

From FB:

The #ZAPandaCubs aren't necessarily twins. They are really littermates! We know this is because of the developmental differences we have seen in the cubs. The smaller cub not only weighs a little less, but he is also a day or two behind his brother in development. However, the smaller cub is catching up! As long as he continues to be the loudest and fussiest of the two, we will have no problem knowing who is who!- Heather Roberts, Keeper III

[Kris G.]

Posted on Zoo Atlanta FB page:

Dr. Rebecca Snyder shares that we can no longer refer to the cubs as "small" and "big." This afternoon Cub A (firstborn), who used to be smaller, surpassed his brother in weight! Cub A now weighs 361 grams, and Cub B weighs 360 grams. The growth weight of both cubs has been rapid, but Cub A has really impressed us -- he's more than tripled his weight in two weeks!

 

[MAK]

Posted on Zoo Atlanta FB page:

Dr. Rebecca Snyder shares that we can no longer refer to the cubs as "small" and "big." This afternoon Cub A (firstborn), who used to be smaller, surpassed his brother in weight! Cub A now weighs 361 grams, and Cub B weighs 360 grams. The growth weight of both cubs has been rapid, but Cub A has really impressed us -- he's more than tripled his weight in two weeks!

 

 

[carly]

Panda Updates
Wednesday, July 31

Like Rebecca stated before, we have an amazing team working around the clock to make sure these cute little furballs grow up healthy and strong, and that Lun Lun stays healthy as well. I just started my rotation as a nursery keeper, and it’s pretty cool to take part in a group working so smoothly like a well-oiled machine. The first 24-48 hours after the cubs were born were stressful for everyone as they had to find a rhythm of swapping out the cubs that worked best for Lun Lun and her newborns. This was complicated by the obvious fact that Cub A was smaller than his brother and in the early days was getting hungry far quicker. But very quickly the kinks were worked out and everyone relaxed a minuscule amount because at least we had a routine. Even Lun Lun settled into the (roughly) three-hour swap schedule without much fuss at all.  So much so that on my first day, she kept getting up and become more active right around the three-hour mark, as if she knew what was going to happen.  I am constantly amazed throughout my shifts at just how awesome Lun is in allowing us to take her cub, as if it’s no big deal. It’s a testament to the relationship we have with her and her trusting nature that she allows this.  Currently, Cubs A and B are pretty close in weight; weighing 394.7g and 405.5g, respectively.

Jen W.
Keeper I, Carnivores

[Kris G.]

Cub Confidential Update:

http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=d9031a7794b0f73577cc878c5&id=9356e05bc9&e=e4eff45b1e

[MAK]

Such dedication should be rewarded! 

[Dumpsterkitty]

http://youtu.be/77M0dN-Nhtc

[Kris G.]

Cub Confidential update!

http://us7.campaign-archive1.com/?u=d9031a7794b0f73577cc878c5&id=d0a81f8616&e=c26951a69b

[Kris G.]

The first 25 days of Giant Panda cubs!

http://youtu.be/Sp-hkYndu08

[MAK]

That was cute! Thanks Kris!!