Working with and conducting novel research on giant pandas is, admittedly, a very cool job. But, what really makes this a dream come true is that we get to do this as a family.
When I’m jet lagged, sitting in the dark on the living room couch at 2:30 in the morning, programming camera traps for our reintroduction study, and then my 7 year old comes out of her bedroom to cuddle up next to me- this, is worth more than gold. Not having to divide everyone up between two continents for weeks or months at a time has been instrumental in the quality of our work. And, it’s beginning to show, as evidenced by a few upcoming publications and expanding research. I digress.
We began our day when most of China was still sleeping. With two bags full of field gear and entertainment devices, we were picked up by a private newborn panda transferring vehicle, and zoomed up the hill to Hetaoping. We were accompanying an additional noisy passenger that had recently been born to a beautiful panda mom at Gengda. This kept the short drive alive with constant cub chatter and had Dee melting with oohs and ahhs.
Arriving by 10:00 am, we had a little bit of down time to scout for the perfect location to setup a trial run of camera traps in one of the “reintroduction” pens. In order for us to enter into the private area, it’s required that we dress into the infamous panda suits. As Dee wanted to see what we were doing, she got the chance to do the same and we found her a smaller, cub-sized outfit. I, on the other hand, had a little bit of trouble finding a suit that matched my 6’2″ frame. Much to Meghan’s enjoyment, I inadvertently put the suit on backwards and had a tail where my man parts should go.
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- Scoping out the research site
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- Panda family
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- Check out my “tail”
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- Meghan showing me how to put on a hat
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- Chillin’ and watching the kids play at lunch
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- Meghan & Meng Meng looking at study site
After selecting the ideal location with trees to mount the cameras, the keepers called the large female into the indoor pen so that we could safely enter. Trying to be as quick as possible, we managed to place a scent mark in the middle of the viewing area and attached four cameras around the perimeter in a matter of 15-20 minutes. Dee was outside waving at us with her panda hood on the whole time. As Hetaoping is situated on the side of a steep mountain, Meghan and I found ourselves on our artificial panda butts on multiple occasions.
We ended the day tired and happy, having accomplished everything that we had set out to do. In a few days, we will return to see how well our camera locations performed and if we need to make adjustments to our study design. With our reintroduction trip off to a fantastic start, tomorrow I will take a few days to travel back to Chengdu and broaden our PDXWildlife panda family and pick up Zachary and Nicki. Meghan and Dee are going to stay in Gengda to finish setting up the apartments and try to order some appliances over the internet as no shops sell them this deep into the mountains.
As the roosters are now sounding off outside our window, it means that it’s time for me to get ready to go catch the bus. Talk in a few days.
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Living in Gengda (Elevation 5200 ft.) is a welcome break from the Chengdu valley heat. We will be here for the next two weeks and then head for Bifengxia. If you would like to know more about our research, feel free to send me an email or leave a comment below.
Wonderful to see you all having so much fun together! Love Dee in her panda cub suit too–and she’ll have a pretty unique report on how she spent her summer vacation come the new school year. I’m pretty convinced that it would be possible to redesign the hoods/face covers to look a little more panda-like, but you’re adorable as a set.
Hi Frances,
That was my first thought about the suits as well- I don’t think we are fooling anyone. Especially when mine fit like I was going to shuck oysters. But, more than happy to play the part. Maybe the female just thinks that all of these goofy looking pandas (people in suits) that are entering her pen are completely emaciated. Would be worth a million words to know what they think of us.
Nate-
OMG what an awesome beginning to your research…..riding with a newborn panda cub?!?!?!
And the panda suits and Heatoping…..I so envy you all. Take time to savor what you 3 have to share, the opportunity of a lifetume. Thank you for taking us with you! And yes, I do wish for that to be literally!!! Ha
Hi Diana,
I might need to stitch on a few extra inches to my suit for it to fit properly. Very glad to be able to share this as a family and with our panda friends.
What a lovely family! Dee is such a lucky little girl! She got to see something most of us will never get to see – a newborn baby panda! And also see her father and mother in panda suits! I would love to be her new 2nd grade teacher and read her essay on “What I Did On My Summer Vacation”! Matter of fact, why don’t you post it – or the parts relative to her China trip! We would all certainly enjoy it. I’m sure! Stay safe and happy!
Sincerely, JoAnn Mann
Hi JoAnn,
I was stoked to have her put on a suit. Glad that she could experience a little more of our work.
Hope all is well.
Nate, this has to be my favorite blog to date! I’m so happy you all are traveling together and for the experiences Dee is getting!! She’ll carry on your legacy (or I’ll steal her and teach her to be a panda keeper ????). Happy traveling and camera trapping!
Hi Lauran,
She’s a really good travel companion. Didn’t complain once during the long trans-pacific flight. Tomorrow we will all hike into the larger field site to do some more camera setup. It will be a good test to see how strong her little legs are.
Good to hear from you-