Maria has decided to start writing weekly panda bulletins from Bifengxia – I thought this was a fabulous idea. See what’s happening below . . .
Cute mini Pandas:
These super cute babies are being transferred to a different Panda base, because the Kindergarten at Ya’an is being rebuilt. Check the video:
Just keep on being cute babies, you are doing great!
Two New Pandas arrive at Ya’an:
Coming from Wolong base, two new Pandas arrived yesterday at Ya’an: Fei Fei and Ge Ge. Both of them were born in Wolong. Fei Fei is the older one, born in 1995 while Ge Ge was born in 2003. They came to Ya’an to mate, so we will keep you updated with any news!
A young Ge Ge. Picture from http://www.kepu.net.cn/english/giantpanda/giantpanda_club/club_news/200506060003.html
Fei Fei – photo from http://www.pandasliveon.com/giantpandas/2011/11/
Artificial insemination:
Yesterday, Qiao Qiao went through an Artificial Insemination (AI) because even though she successfully mated BFX assures pregnancy with AI if they thing the mating may not have resulted in insemination.
Do you know how an AI is performed? There are several steps:
1- If vets are going to use fresh sperm, they will have to collect it from a male panda once he is anesthetized. If frozen sperm is used, it will have to be handled properly. This sperm is kept in Nitrogen tanks, at -196ºC.
2- They must evaluate the quality of the sperm and process it properly (concentrating, diluting and incubation).
3- The semen will be injected to the uterine neck of the female Panda in estrous once she is asleep (anesthetized).
Panda of the week: Jin Ke
Let me introduce you to Jin Ke, he is one of the youngest males. He was born in Ya’an the 15th of July of 2009. This is his first breeding season, and he is doing quite well. He already has successfully mated with Xin Nier and Min Min.
He is a really funny Panda, check this video of him sleeping (and listen carefully!)
-Maria
