Home > Panda Watch > Archives > 2006 > November > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWatch those fingers, this cub’s got nippers!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Note to the people who give Zoo Atlanta’s baby giant panda her weekly checkups: Watch your fingers.
She’s got teeth now.
In related developments, the zoo is making available a limited number of tickets for people who want to witness the cub-naming Dec. 15.
The tickets, which costs $5 on top of zoo admission price, will allow people to watch a live video feed of the ceremony, taking place at 10 a.m. at the zoo. About 250 ticket-holders will be given seats at the zoo’s Coca-Cola World Studio to watch.
Selecting the cub’s name will be an exercise in democracy; people will get to vote for their favorite from among 10. The voting will take place Dec. 1-10 here at ajc.com.
The 10 names will have been submitted by zoo staff, media organizations, sponsors and residents of Sichuan province in China, the panda’s homeland. They will have the approval of zoo staff and officials at the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding in China.
The cub will be 100 days old when she is given a name, which reflects a Chinese tradition. When a panda cub reaches that milestone, it is likely to survive.
And what of the cub’s parents? Parenthood has not had much of an impact on Yang Yang, the cub’s father. He’s been on display constantly since the cub’s birth. Lun Lun has been with the youngster nearly constantly, but has now returned for limited public viewing.
She’s still segregated from Yang Yang, zoo officials said, but regularly steps out to eat before returning to her cub, which has not been put on display.
For more information about the pandas, or to get a ticket, log on to www.zooatlanta.org.
OK, they’re baby teeth, two incisors in the upper jaw that zoo employees discovered during the unnamed cub’s regular checkup Wednesday morning. But they are, after all, in a bear’s mouth.
Dr. Maria Crane, Zoo Atlanta’s senior veterinarian, made the discovery during the checkup, normally held on Thursdays but moved to Wednesday this week for Thanksgiving. She carefully inserted a determined index finger into the little panda’s mouth. The cub, a furry ball of reluctance, grudgingly complied.
“You’ve got some teeth today,” Crane said.
She got more than that in the checkup, her ninth. Crane gave the cub her second canine distemper shot. The youngster bore it with bruin-like stoicism. She didn’t peep.
Here are some more findings:
• The panda, born Sept. 6, has added about another pound in the last six days. She’s now 9.1 pounds. (By comparison, her mama, Lun Lun, weighs about 240.)
• Her vision and hearing are getting better all the time. She submitted to an ear exam, her head turned sideways, her eyes watching everybody watching her.
• Her front legs, already strong, are getting stronger. She popped up on them like an athlete preparing to do push-ups. Her back legs are still a little shaky.
• Her voice is growing, too. She shared her sentiments several times during the examination — “vocalization,” Crane called it. You could safely call it a squawk.
• Her length? That’s a mystery. Last week, the zoo reported that she stretched 22.4 inches from one end to the other. This week, the measurement from nose to tail was nearly an inch shorter: 21.6 inches.
• No, the baby panda has not shrunk, said Susan Elliott, a spokeswoman for the zoo. “Securing more accurate measurements may be more difficult” now, Elliott said.
• Translation: The cub is stronger, wiggling more than ever.
• And this: She’s got teeth now.
Comments
By Barbara
November 22, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
I love watching this precious baby and her mom daily on Panda Cam. While the baby looks adorable from the aerial view, nothing compares to the close-up frontal views we get from the AJC during her weekly check-ups. This baby is most definitely the poster child for cuteness! Thanks AJC for the great photos!
By mika
November 22, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this
I second that. I love seeing the weekly pics of the cub. She is just too precious. Can’t wait to see the cub at the Zoo…
By sevenof9fl
November 22, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this
Love the story and the photos! Good job, ajc.com! She’s such a little treasure, your cubcake!
By RobinS
November 22, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this
it’s much the same as watching a caged animal in a circus grow up….it’s truly sad that the pandas cannot enjoy a habitat in the wild, like they were born to have…they weren’t born to be on show in a zoo in cement and steel cages..it’s truly sad what society has done that they no longer have safe havens other than in zoos.
By Tamika
November 22, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
I read that Tai Shan, the panda cub born at the National Zoo in DC will be returned to China when he gets old enough. Is this the same for our little panda cub?
By MustLovePandas
November 22, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
Robin, if only you had some idea of what you’re talking about… the four U.S. zoos that are contributing to the giant panda conservation effort are NOTHING like circuses who profit from caged animals. These zoos make zero profit from the pandas. ZERO. The years and years of research they’ve put into working with China to save these beautiful animals would be well worth a little time and effort on your part to learn about panda conservation and become aware of this massive ongoing effort. I applaud these four zoos in trying to save this species from becoming extinct. Are you even aware of their endangered status, or that their “natural habitat in the wild” is becoming smaller and smaller every day due to diminishment of their bamboo forests? Please, I impore you, educate yourself, and I hope that you’ll consider contributing to these animals’ plight.
By MustLovePandas
November 22, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
Umm, that would be IMPLORE, not impore.. LOL :)
By panda lover
November 22, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this
Thank you AJC and Zoo Atlanta for posting the pictures and live footage of our cute little panda cub. I am homebound and have enjoyed watching her on a daily basis. She has brought me many hours daily of tremendous JOY. I call her Bling Bling.
By Bert
November 23, 2006 07:39 AM | Link to this
The people of Atlanta are triply lucky - to have a panda exhibit, to have had a panda birth, and for having the AJC - whose reporting of everything panda has been so wonderful. I’m in Texas - but I am enjoying every minute of it. In the past twenty years I’ve gone to every U.S. zoo panda exhibit - and Atlanta is next on my list to visit. Enjoy the moment and these magnificent creatures. And if you can afford it, donate to their conservation.
By Char
November 23, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this
panda lover, i call the Atlanta cub Persimmon, the San Diego cub, Olive and the National Zoo cub, Mango. But I got a great laugh from your name, Bling Bling. I think it’s perfect for this jewel of a daughter of Lun Lun and Yang Yang. AJC, thanks for delivering this video. I look forward to the updates.
By margo1915
November 23, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this
We are so in love with this little cub- Thanks to AJC for posting the weekly information on the weigh-ins.
But as of yesterday - what happened to the feed from Zoo Atlanta? Hours were cut back severely - oddly is only during working hours when most people Can’t Watch!! Plus No Weekends!! And many people from abroad - who are among the cub’s biggest fans - will never be able to see her live!!
And Earthlink took over from CNN - is Earthlink doing the cutback or the Zoo?
Can the Atlanta Journal do an investigation of this situation? We need our panda fix!!
By Sabine
November 23, 2006 03:47 PM | Link to this
every day I look for the little panda and her mother.It’s very nice… …and far away!!I’m looking in Germany.Good luck with the little cub!
By Jeri
November 24, 2006 08:31 AM | Link to this
I was very upset to learn that the panda cam will only be up between 10:00 and 5:00pm EST, and service will now be provided by EarthLink. Why would they make the cam only available for their local time zone viewers during working/school hours? What about the people in other parts of the world?
If CNN does not want to provide the feed from the Zoo, what about another Atlanta based corp: Coca Cola, UPS, Bell South?
I am afraid that this is going to have a negative effect on the Zoo: donations and membership will suffer.
Can you investigate this and give it the publicity that it needs. We need to see Lun and her cub!
By ?
November 24, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this
I know that panda is tired of being poked and prodded every minute…and people think it’s so cute growling and lunging toward the camera. can’t wait for the name.
By Esther
November 24, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this
I cannot believe that a company as wealthy as Earthlink cannot provide 24/7 cam coverage of the baby panda. They should be ashamed of themselves. Why did CNN bail out? I am shocked by the uncharitable nature of these Atlanta-based companies!
By Rosalyn
November 24, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this
I agree Jeri. This will really hurt the zoo with donations and such. I just recently discovered that we had a panda cam and now the hours will be cut down. Cant they find someone else to do the feed? I know that Animal Planet provides feed for Tai Shan so I dont see why they wouldnt with our panda cub. Besides, it will get more of a viewing audience if it was on the animal planet website. More viewers equals more publicity and money.
By Mary
November 24, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this
Every day the first thing I did when I came home from work was turn on my computer and check on “my” baby. Now the only way I can see her is stay home from work….what gives? Many of us cannot travel to Atlanta to see her when she is shown to the public. Does she not belong to the working people too? How about longer hours so we can see too?
By Betty
November 25, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
Whats going on? Earthlink takes over and changes everything! Please, AJC, start a campaign to have our “Baby Fix” returned. I feel as though a “member of the Family” as moved out, and I miss my baby girl terribly!!
By suzy
November 25, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this
Cannot believe we’ll only be able to see the cub and mom during working hours. We had a 9-yr old visiting for the holidays and only were able to see the cub Friday. Please restore the former viewing hours!
By Pamela G
November 25, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this
“In the end, we will only conserve what we love, we will love only what we understand, we will understand only what we are taught.” These are the words of the great naturalist Dioum. The Atlanta Zoo Pandacam is an extraordinary teaching tool. People from all over the world watch, ask questions, and learn to love the Pandas, primarily through the antics of the Panda cubs, arguably the most endearing creatures most of us will ever see. That so many people watch, fall in love, form a strong bond and a commitment to the survival of these very endangered bears is borne out by the fact that just one Pandacam group, Pandas Unlimited, which has about 1100 members, has contributed more than $12,000 to The Washington National Zoo, the Atlanta Zoo, and the San Diego Zoo in 2006. These cameras also provide a chance for senior citizens, shut-ins, and American soldiers fighting overseas to forget their own concerns for a while, to laugh and enjoy the beauty and the antics of the bears and their cubs. To limit the viewing time to 10 AM - 5 PM on weekdays now, just when the Atlanta cub will begin to walk and explore her world, will cost the zoo – and, in the long run, the bears – much in terms of research and financial support, to say nothing of public relations.
It is difficult to believe that CNN, Earthlink, and the zoo itself would limit the cub viewing time to exclude people who work and citizens of foreign countries. It is extremely difficult to believe that CNN and Earthlink can not – or will not - support the programs and people that are so committed to saving the Pandas. Please find a way to support operation of the Atlanta Zoo Pandacam 24/7. The cameras are vital to increasing the understanding and love that are needed to save these bears.
By susan
November 26, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
Well said Pamela. I totally agree with everything you mentioned. I live in California and sad to say that I am extremely disappointed at not being able to see the cub much now. I miss the little gal alot and hope that Zoo Atlanta will somehow come up with the resources to extend the padacam hours or change it so all of us can see her. With so much negative news out there, war in Iraq, crimes, etc. the pandacam is like a small santuary. Once we see that innocent, adorable, beautiful cub, our faces light up and we are at a better place.
By James
November 26, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this
It’s a pity that someone can’t afford to run the pandacam 24/7. The upside is that I have discovered the Animal Planet site which is quite good.
Come on Atlanta zoo, put a Coca Cola or Home Depot sign up in the panda nest and get the funds to run 24/7!
By LYNN CLEMENTS
November 30, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this
PLEASE PUT THE VIDEO BACK OUT THERE WHERE BABY GIRL SNAPPED AT THE CAMERA AT LAST WEEKS EXAM. I HAD A BALL GETTING PEOPLE TO COME IN MY OFFICE AND SIT CLOSE TO THE MONITOR. WHEN SHE SNAPS THEY ALMOST JUMP OUT OF THE CHAIR.
By leslie bell
December 1, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this
Panda born in GA….. Made in America……
How bout “Georgia Porgie”
By carmen
December 1, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this
It is not very special and wonderful when a small creature like our cub can bring people together from all parts of the world. She is indeed a “bright Star”.
By Teresa
December 1, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
I look forward to my daily fix of Atlanta’s precious panda. Thanks AJC for your coverage. However, I know she will be even more adorable when everyone can visit her at Zoo Atlanta.
By Theresa in San Jose
December 1, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this
I’ve been watching Lun Lun and her precious baby ever since I visited the Atlanta Zoo with friends in September. This precious little baby cub has brought joy and happiness to so many of our friends and family across the country. Lun Lun is such a wonderful mother! We love her too! Good job Atlanta! We love having the Panda Cam to view and the detailed updates to read.
By Sharon
December 1, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this
I have been watching the cub since the day of her birth and have so enjoyed watching her grow, watching Lun Lun be a wonderful mother to her. I am saddened by the fact that so many people are not getting to enjoy the same thing anymore because of the limited viewing hours. I work from home so I still get to watch her every day. I pray that somebody somewhere will have compassion for the panda lovers out there that can’t watch from 10-5 and get our camera back up 24/7.
By Annie in IN
December 2, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this
I agree with the comment that there are surely some BIG companies that can afford to put that cam back up 24/7! I love watching her and can’t wait for the naming ceremony! Just wait til she becomes mobile! What fun watching that excitement! I got my vote in! I have been watching Tia Shan since he was born and found this cam about 2 months ago. Now that I am working part time I don’t get to see her at all! BIG BUMMER! Need a baby panda fix here in Northern Indiana! (:)
By Betsy
December 2, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this
I thought I posted this but evidently didn’t get it right as I don’t see it on here. As I said, I have fallen in love with our little girl. She is absolutely the sweetest little thing. I am sorry we don’t get to see more of her now that she is moving around & doing cute things. It sounds like a lot of others are upset also. I also got my vote in.
Betsy in Ohio