PDXWildlife founders (Nathan & Meghan) first began conducting research in China in 2010. What seems like an eternity ago, we are now quickly approaching a decades worth of data collection. As female pandas are reproductively viable by about 4+ years of age, cubs born in 2011 and 2012 are now potential candidates for the breeding program.
In 2010, Lu Lu (芦芦, #503, born ~1999) was the breeding “king” at Bifengxia, followed closely by Wu Gang (武岗, #502, born~1999). As Lu Lu seems to be taking a little break, Wu Gang is still going strong having seen considerable activity this year. Other prominent males include An An (#719, born 2008) and Jin Ke (津柯, #743, born 2009). Together, I would venture a guess that these four males make up a significant portion of the BFX male breeding pool.
When coupled with beautiful females such as Lin Bing (林冰, #740, born 2009), Yao Man (姚蔓, #759, born 2009), Ying Hua (瑛华, #566, born 2003), Zhen Zhen (珍珍, #694, born 2007), Su Shan (苏珊, #827, born 2011), Min Min (闽闽, #735, born 2008), and Xi Duo (喜豆, #654, born 2006), the next generation of cubs are rapidly coming of age or have entered the program already. Even though pandas are able to produce cubs much earlier, the average age of all panda moms is about twelve. With that said, we might have a few more years to really see some of the products from our early studies.
Watching these bears grow up and develop gives you a sense of being a “panda parent”. We all have our favorites and special fondness to a select few. Mine just so happen to be Lu Lu, Jin Ke, Ying Hua, and Min Min. Lu Lu, because he was the first bear I ever saw. Jin Ke, because he’s always my goto bear for photos. Ying Hua, because she’s an excellent mom, and Min Min, because she’s a sweetheart. However, I’m certain that my favorites will change as time passes.
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Lin Bing (Ping) is the Mother of my adopted panda, Wen Hui. I have many favorites – including the SNZ pandas and their offspring in China and Dai Li and Qi Zai. I can’t pick just one! I can’t wait for Tai Shan to be a daddy and for Bao Bao and Wen Hui to be old enough! Take care and keep sending observations! Please! Siuncerely, JoiAnn
Hi JoAnn,
It is definitely hard to pick a few favorites. I’m always amazed at how adept “panda people” are are being able to tell the bears apart. Some are able to do this just from pictures of their faces. I have to at least have a full, detailed picture. Even then I have difficulty.
It will be exciting to see if we get some cubbies from Tai. I met a few people at the PandAtlanta event in February that would probably say the same thing. Fingers crossed.
Cheers-
You and Meghan met a few of my Facebook friends at PandAtlanta in February and they were thrilled and I got vicarious thrills from them! A helpful hint in identifying the pandas is sometimes take a look at their saddles – some “dip”, some are narrow, some are “notched” that is a quick way! Frances Aronson and Danielle Lemairre are extremely adept at identifying who’s who in the panda world as is Charlene K. Johnson (Auntie Fan)! I think if a person is interested enough they will find a way! Thank you for all you do for the panda!
Take care! JoAnn
Hi JoAnn,
Thank you for the identification tips.
Cheers-
How wonderful to get to see the babies grow up and go on to have cubbies of their own–and to know that you have contributed so much to their increasing breeding success!
Thank you for the kind comments,
I have a feeling that we are going to be pleasantly bombarded with cubs this year. Training our new interns in maternal care in preparation.
Good to hear from you Francis-
Thanks for your update! I hope you are right about lots of cubs this year. I thought the breeding activities started earlier this year but so far we\ve only know that Zhi Zhi has given birth to twins and no hints at all on other pandas that might be giving births.
Karen,
You are correct- Breedings were a tad early. Speaking only to Bifengxia… if you take the gestation period of ~130 days (2015 Studbook) we could see some cubbies in the last week of this month. I just have a gut feeling that we are going to have a very busy “cub” season.
Stay in touch-
Nate