Yi Bao is obviously not that interested in A Ling as evidenced by his eating!
A few days after the earthquake, I returned to the panda base and everything seemed pretty much back to normal. The pandas seemed to be behaving normally (sleeping and eating) although I did read a report that the younger pandas had a hard time dealing with the earthquake. My understanding is that there had also been a significant amount of care provided to all of the bears directly after the quake.
Once the roads reopened, the volunteers who were staying at the panda base returned home. For the last 2 weeks, there have been no volunteers at the panda base with the exception of day volunteers. As of Tuesday (May 7th) the CCRCGP, the gorge, and zoo were still closed to tourists although some new volunteers at the CCRCGP were scheduled to start this week. The panda base has felt pretty empty without the normal surge of tourists, visitors, and volunteers so I’m excited for their return.
We wrapped up mating season this week; although the final mating was not at all what I had been expecting. I expected a natural mating with the usual starting of a timer, a cheer, and clapping of hands as is what seems to be the usual routine. However on May 5th, A Ling being the special panda that she is, decided to sleep all day instead of display any behaviors that could have given the keepers a heads up on her hormone levels. Unbeknownst to us, her hormones had peaked that morning. When we arrived at the breeding center the next day (May 6th), she was displaying a whole bunch of behaviors! The keepers unsuccessfully introduced her to males all day long. In late afternoon, they decided to try an artificial insemination. They attempted placing her next to males on May 7th as well, but the males weren’t interested and they conducted a second artificial insemination. That was the official end of breeding season. It was a little anti-climatic, but now mating season is officially over!
-Steph
That better not be a picture of Wu Gang and A Ling. Ye Ye is A Ling’s mother and Wu Gang is A Ling’s father. I can’t believe that they would put them together, even if he is a good, natural breeder.
You are absolutely right and what a good catch! I double checked with our intern Stephanie and she had written down the wrong name on the photo (though the breeding records were correct!). Thanks for catching it and I’ve updated the picture to Yi Bao.
I hope it is not Wu Gang and A Ling on that picture, or the fact that Wu Gang is not interested in A Ling could mean that pandas have a more healthy view on mating than the humans have since Wu Gang is A Ling’s father!
Danielle – awesome catch! You are absolutely right and that is not Wu gang in the picture. I double checked with our intern Stephanie and she had written down the wrong name on the photo (though the breeding records were correct!). Thanks for catching it and I’ve updated the picture to Yi Bao.
Thank you Meg!
Thats Yi Bao eating bamboo shoot
Ruan – you sure know your pandas! It was Yi Bao and we’ve corrected the wrong information. Thanks for following us.