Bai Yang, one of the most frequented pandas you come across at the base, should be on a watch list. From his good looks, to his winning personality, it’s hard to stay away from this handsome boy. This guy is a true outdoor bear; that becomes very stereotypical when indoors. Living the panda life is like living the couch potato life: filled with eating and sleeping. Us interns, might have this lifestyle down by the time we head home: eating bamboo and resting when we can.

Outside, Bai Yang is able to roam around his enclosure, and not too often, will he be very stereotypical. Rain or shine, Bai Yang can be seen taking in the ‘freshness’ of China’s air. When he is expecting food, but is locked outside, Bai Yang will often head toss by his shift door. During this time, Bai Yang is usually showing off his voice to surrounding bears and people. Bai Yang can also transform into quite the gymnast, doing a handstand against the outside keeper door, and scent marking. When Bai Yang is inside, his behaviors become immensely stereotypic. Inside, Bai Yang has a tendency to head toss constantly. He will also pace randomly around his enclosure and bleat repeatedly. Add in the rolls he enjoys doing across the ground, and you’ve got a very active and stereotypical bear.

Overall, Bai Yang doesn’t appear to mind the big stage. Sitting on his pagoda, watching the world go by and loving to be one with nature – this boy (in human terms) could be considered an outdoorsman. Whether he is sitting up or lying down, Bai Yang is content talking in his surroundings. As long as he has lots of bamboo, then he is a happy panda. With China’s Golden Week having just come to a close, it’s been interesting to observe whether stereotypical activities increased with the amount of human activity. For some bears, the abundant public seemed to affect them more; but as for Bai Yang, he continued on with his daily activities as usual. He would ignore those humans that try to have a conversation with him and that are snapping photos. He shows that nothing can beat the concentration a bear has for eating bamboo or taking siestas.

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If you enjoyed this post by our fall 2017, giant panda intern- Katie Zajac, be sure to let her know by leaving a comment below. All photos on this page were taken by her (Nice Work!) PDXWildlife provides internship opportunities to study giant pandas in Sichuan, China. Be sure to check our website for future opportunities for January and February openings! Click HERE for more details.