Meghan and I are back in China to setup and receive training in endocrinology techniques to analyze all of the feces that we have collected. The poop is collected at Bifengxia, but is analyzed at the new Dujiangyan Veterinary facilities. If you are wondering- Does panda poop stink? The answer is no. Given that they digest food (bamboo) so quickly, it pretty much comes out the same as it goes in.
I arrived a few days earlier in order to transfer the feces from Bifengxia. After walking around to see all of the quickly growing cubs, it has become difficult to count how many there are. But, I did manage to sit in on a maternal observation of Zhen Zhen and cub #2 as we are calling her. She looks like a confident and protective mother.
If anyone has any questions about certain cubs or proud mothers, don’t hesitate to ask us by sending us a comment. We will be in Dujiangyan until next week, but will then be at Bifengxia.
Thank you so much–always appreciate pictures of Zhen Zhen and hope we get to see her with her cubs as they grow up!
I’m just happy to have taken a picture of the correct cub this time. Cheers-
Thank you for the beautiful photo of Zhen Zhen and #2. Zhennie looks great!!
They are swapping the cubs out ~every 10 days, so hopefully I can sit in on another maternal observation and catch cub #1.
That would be great, Nathan. Do you think they’ll let her care for both of them when they’re a little older?
Frances, We’re not sure if they’ll keep them together until they’re a little older. The base has been trying to let the mothers raise cubs for longer periods (more similar to natural conditions) so I’m hoping they keep the twins with Zhen Zhen. We’ll keep everyone updated! Super excited Zhennie is raising both!
I am too, Meg–and I hope we can watch her every step of the way. So happy Nathan has been able to get pictures–keep ’em coming!
What a good mommy!! I miss all the pandas so much! Hope everything is going well! Tell everyone I said hello!
Miranda
Hi Miranda. The bears definitely miss your presence. Hope the move and transition back into the US went smoothly for ya. Stay in touch.