Happy 2017! How about we celebrate the new year with some panda news? Mei Xi has recently moved to the International Panda Paradise/Park (IPP), which is the backside of BFX with her two cubs so now is a great time to snap some pictures of this family. It has been interesting doing winter maternal studies because cubs can now venture outside and usually you see both twins with their mother. When you have cubs as active as Mei Xi’s, it is a challenge sometimes to keep track of their location and tell each cub apart when you are recording behaviors.
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- Play TIme, Not Bath Time
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- The Twins
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- Climbing Time
I observed the family for two days and it was endless entertaining. The cubs are independent enough to run around, climb trees, and gnaw on bamboo. Mei Xi had to drag a cub down from a tree. It was also harder from her to groom them, they are pretty big and they were always wriggling around. Mei Xi frequently repositioned her cub in between licks to get the angle right. But this also meant Mei Xi can enjoy her lunch without having to constantly supervise her cubs. I think mom deserves a break.
Shu Qin and Wang Jia were transported to Wolong and Dujiangyan this week, we will miss them.
I’m Stephanie Wong and if you enjoyed my pictures, be sure to comment below. I might be able to grab additional photos if you have a request. Thank you for reading.
Stephanie, how much fun it is to view these cubs and their Mom through your eyes! I know your are working very hard but having the time of your life, too! If you can get any pictures of Lin Ping’s younger cub- I’m one of her adoptive mothers! I think she is in Panda Kindergarten and that might not be where you are . I wish you continued good luck while you tell us more interesting facts about our beloved pandas!
Sincererly!
JoAnn Mann
Hi JoAnn,
Thanks for leaving a comment. It’s always a great feeling to know that you guys enjoy our stories. The funny thing about scientific research is that you can try to standardize everything, but ultimately you can’t control how your sample target behaves. It can be nice when the pandas just chill in one spot when we are recording our data, but it is definitely not as entertaining!
The kindergarten is not one of our study site, but I’ll pop by and see if I can get some pictures.
Cheers,
Stephanie
Stephanie……you have done a great job!
I enjoyed reading the story and repeatedly looking at the pictures very much.
Yes ! I also look forward to hear and see the story and pictures of Lin Ping and
her twin cubs .
Good luck and enjoy your work !
Gobchai
Hi Gobchai,
Thanks for your kind words. Pandas are just naturally photogenic aren’t they? I feel so lucky that my job literally requires me to watch them every day. Sometimes it’s hard to pick the best pictures to post but we’ll be sure to keep them coming!
Cheers,
Stephanie