Home > Panda Watch > Archives > 2006 > November > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USZoo’s panda cam hours cut back
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Panda lovers, you’re just going to have to grimace and bear the change. Zoo Atlanta’s Panda Cam is no longer 24/7.
The camera that had afforded panda fans an unblinking, unfailing glimpse into the lives of giant panda Lun Lun and her unnamed cub now is operating on banker’s hours — and East Coast hours, at that.
The camera now operates only Monday-Friday, between the hours of 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
If you’ve been logging on late night or during the weekend to see the baby panda and her mom, forget it. Zoo Atlanta’s Web site won’t have any live images.
Or, if you like peeking at the duo during the work week, but live in Birmingham — that’s in the Central Time Zone, an hour behind Atlanta — you’d better get in the habit of logging on between the hours of 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
If you live in LA, three time zones away? Set the coffee maker for 7 a.m.
Tel Aviv? London? Do the math and act accordingly.
Earthlink is now sponsoring the camera, which had been underwritten by CNN.com until the zoo could find a permanent sponsor.
“Earthlink is doing a phenomenal job and a huge favor to Zoo Atlanta” by taking over the camera’s costs, said zoo spokeswoman Susan Elliott.
Earthlink was happy to assume the sponsorship, said Jerry Grasso, a spokesman for the company. He declined to say what the sponsorship cost.
“The panda is big news,” he said.
It is. Zoo Atlanta reports that the Panda Cam has averaged 50,000 visits daily. Such popularity is not cheap, Elliott said. Giving online viewers unlimited access to the mother and cub racked up staff costs: the cam was manned around the clock.
The increased use of bandwidth to provide access at all hours also added up, said Elliott, who declined to say what the camera had cost.
The unlimited hours came to an end Wednesday, and they aren’t likely to come back, Elliott said.
“It all boils down to costs,” she said.
The news made some panda fans boil — Colleen Horan of Lansing, Mich., for one, who routinely logs on to see the duo. She calls the unnamed cub “Miss Wiggles”.
“I was very disappointed, extremely disappointed” to learn that the hours had been cut back, said Horan, 44, who liked to log on at night to check on the cub.
Panda fan Dana Meyer of Martinsburg, W.Va., wants a constant camera on the baby panda so she can keep close tabs on the cub’s progress.
“She’s growing so fast,” said Meyer, who communicates with other cub-lovers online. “We’ve all been drawn in by the video of this panda cub. “We’ve watched her since birth.”
She can still watch, of course. Meyer can still scratch that panda itch when she gets it, provided that itch occurs during the work week, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. That’s East Coast time.
Services »
Comments
By JOANN BAILEY
November 27, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this
HOW ABOUT A COMPROMISE? WHY DON’T YOU GIVE US PANDA LOVERS A WEEKLY UPDATE VIA PICTURES AS IN THE AJC? WE LOVE SEEING PICTURES OF HER.
By DEE BURRIS
November 27, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this
I love the Panda cam. We think of it as therapy. During the day when things get hectic we just have a little peek and things are all better. I hope it never goes away.
By mika
November 27, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
Aslong as I get to see the panda cub…really don’t matter to me…
By joannez
November 27, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this
The panda cam has not worked in a very long time. My students would love to see them. It’s very disappointing to bring it up and no pandas.
By julie
November 27, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this
oh give me a break, I have a lil cam set up for my birds.. this does not cost any extra.. stop being so cheap.
By Kristine
November 27, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this
And now they ask you every 5 minutes if you want to continue to watch. UUUH, YEAH I want to watch, that is why I am here isnt it?
By Leah
November 27, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this
Julie - possibly thousands of people are accessing the panda cam site on a weekly basis. This high volume of viewers creates a burden on the zoo’s technology and increases the need for bandwidth; that’s where the costs come in. Presumably, thousands of people each week aren’t tuning in to look at your birds.
By Kira
November 27, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this
Although I waste a lot of time visiting mama and baby, I would be really sad to see it go away. It makes me so happy every time I log on!
By Jim Fowler
November 27, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
When can I pet the baby panda?
By LiasMom
November 27, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this
It’s not only the bandwidth technology, but the actual staff-time involved. The Zoo has a Panda “blog” of its own, which it updates pretty much daily. One day it talked about the Panda Cam, and how it takes someone to watch it and manipulate it, making sure that when the pandas move, the camera moves, zoom it in when the baby panda is alone and zoom back out when mommy comes back, etc.
I can understand why we might not necessarily need to see the panda at 3am. But, I know several people who would check in before going to work, between 7am and 9am, and now we can’t do that. For anyone who works during the day and can’t get to the cam between 10am and 5pm, it is a bad deal. It would be great if they could extend it a few hours in either direction, like 7am - 7pm.
By nana
November 27, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this
Need to rework the hours to include more after school hours. It was a great reward to watch after finishing homework.
By Marlin Perkins
November 27, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this
Jim,
Once you wrestle the python into your canoe, then and only then may you pet the panda.
By Grace
November 27, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this
I LOVE the panda cam!
By zrolen
November 27, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this
Panda Cam? What a bout a monkey cam? Monkey’s are awesome!
By The Ramos Family
November 27, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this
I don’t think this is fair for all of us panda lovers. This was my sisters theraphy since she suffers from depression and anxiety. Cutting back the time was a big mistake. In Washington you are able to see Thai Shan 24/7 everyday of the year. So why cut back? I wrote to Atlanta and they never answer me back. Why cut back on something so cute and precious. This was something we could go and see at anytime and get away from all the bad in this world. Know that the baby si groqing up and moving around they cut us back. We wanted to see all those precious moments and be part of it from our own home. Now we cant. Why give us soemthing and take it away from us. Why not charge something a month to help with the cost of the camaras. If that will help them out. I bet there are alot of people like myself willing to pay to see the baby grow up. Please give us back the baby. We want to see her everyday like we used too.
By judy
November 27, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this
My in-home childcare children LOVE the Panda cam. We check it a few times a week and marvel at the growth. Many times we log in and cant see the Panda so we try again later. We dont stay more than a minute, and can live with shortened hours. What about the kids who like to checkup on the Panda before they go to bed though? I’m sorry to see it be all daytime hours that it will be up and running. I think the zoo should look at it as advertising dollars. I have not been to the zoo in years but this has my interest up again to possibly make a visit.
By Runner40
November 27, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this
Cutting back the hours on the Panda Cam? Whatever!
By sharon johnson
November 27, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand why CNN cannot continue coverage. CNN is based in Atlanta. Coverage of this remarkable baby can only bring good to the Zoo and great PR for Atlanta as a whole. I hate to ask Arthur Blank, but, with the overwhelming success of the Aquarium, maybe he’d fund the PandaCam. The Zoo should not have to worry about this type of PR -which is what the PandaCam is - but should be able to concentrate on finding funds necessary to pay leases/loans and care for the animals. Come on - where’s Ted Turner when you need him?? Make this a feature story…..surely one of our local celebraties can spring for the funding of the CAM!!!!!!!!
By bill t
November 27, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
This is an OUTRAGE!!
I want to be able to view the cute little baby pandas at all hours, 24/7. I sometimes like to get up at, say, 3:22 a.m. and wonder “What is the cute little baby panda doing at exactly this minute?” And then I can go online and find out. But now I am forced to waste work hours to do so.
By sharon johnson
November 27, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this
The National Zoo in D.C. still has a panda cam for Tai Shon…….I couldn’t get enough of watching him and even made a donation due to being able to see him. All you have to do is limit the time someone can view and have a message to please check back if you can’t log on……that’s the way the D.C. cam worked!!!
By Lizzie
November 27, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this
Oh, I am so sad!! I LOVE the Panda Cam and it always puts a smile on my face….I also think a Gorilla Cam would be amazing…I love the gorilla’s at Zoo Atlanta!!
By GMC
November 27, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this
You’re not missing much today. Cub has slept most of the time since 10 AM. I’m watching frequently but not every moment and haven’t seen her move around except to stretch and yawn. Sometimes Lun Lun appears to be watching her sleep. A recent poster mentioned that the cub was entering a phase where she would be sleeping more; that seems to be happening.
By Teri
November 27, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this
I love the Pandas and enjoy seeing pictures, but if anyone needs to see them more than 7 hours a day (10-5) you seriously need to develop other interests in your life.
By Karen
November 27, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this
I Am Very Disapointed I Watched The Baby Panda Since Day 1.I Enjoyed Watching Her Grow And Seeing Her Grow Up Before Our Eyes.Now With These New Hours For The Panda Cam If You Work 9 To 5 You Don’t Get To See Her And you Are Missing out On All The Special Moments That Are Coming Up(Like Crawling,Walking)Little Things That We Were looking Foward To.I wrote To The Zoo They Never Answered Me Back And i Was Willing To Make A Donation And Become A Member.I Live In Orlando And Was looking Foward To Visiting Atlanta To See The Baby And Her Parents.But Atlanta Zoo Never Answered Me I Guess They Don’t Need The Donations.I Am Very Upset And I Hope That We can Have The Cam Again 24/7 Like We Use To.At Least Washington D.C.Still Has Their Cameras 24/7 And We Can Still See Tai Shan And His Mommy.
By cubsfan723
November 27, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this
I’m just sad that we can’t see CC 24/7. How are we going to know when she first walks? After that fact? Earthlink should give the Zoo a break and pick up the extra expense. Jeez!
By GMC
November 27, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this
I sit at a computer all day so it’s nothing to click on the Panda Cam window every 15-20 minutes for a nanosecond look. We’re all watching for the progression to that first step.
By mtnmom
November 27, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
Like other posters, I also wish that the hours could be tweaked to accomodate working people and schoolchildren.
I enjoy clicking on with my 12-year old daughter in the evenings before bed and seeing what the panda cub is up to.
These pandas are an important, in-your-face lesson on the wonder of life, animal behavior and on the importance of saving endangered species. By letting tomorrows leaders (duh…our KIDS) have access to these images, we are giving them important lessons.
I agree that the zoo should use its resources for direct animal care, etc….but there are plenty of corporate sponsors out there with lots of money! If we can rename all the bowl games (and even zoo exhibits) for corporate sponsors, how ‘bout the _(insert name of company) Panda Cam?
By James
November 27, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
I doubt that it is a problem with Zoo Atlanta staff since we are told that they are watching the panda 24/7 on the monitors anyway. Also if staffing was the issue, I bet they could find volunteers to work the cameras pretty easily.
It is bandwidth. What is odd is that one would think that bandwidth would be at a premium during the “banker’s hours” that they are supplying coverage.
I agree that if they can’t manage 24/7, then they should at least adjust the hours so that more people could watch after work and on the weekends.
By Pamela G
November 27, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
Like any baby, Atlanta’s fuzzy little Peach will nurse, then sleep, crawl around, then sleep, get fussy and call Momma, then sleep…you get the idea. The problem is, the action goes on 24/7. By limiting the observation time to just 7 hours a day, people from all over the world are missing 2/3 of this little girl’s growth and development, to say nothing of those incredible moments when one just has to marvel at the love and devotion of Lun Lun as she cares for her baby. Some of the most beautiful pictures of motherhood that you will ever see are taking place at this stage, as Lun cradles, bathes, and nurses her daughter. There is something so hopeful, so soothing, so touching about the Panda mother/cub relationship that it clutches at the heart to think that, unless we care, unless we support the research and the effort to save these bears and their habitat, someday AJC may be writing a story that chronicles the death of the last Panda in the world. Watching the Pandacam teaches people; it makes them care. There has to be a sponsor out there somewhere who cares enough to help keep the cameras going 24/7. Please!
By James
November 27, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this
Maybe Fox News coulc pick up the slack from CNN!
By Quirshi
November 27, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this
I dont see how this would save anything if you’re cutting hours. If anything I would think this would just force the same number of people to all log in between 10a-5p.
By Pat
November 27, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this
Watching panda cam is a peaceful tranquil moment during the day. Hate to see the hours cut especially on the week-ends when I can’t get my panda-fix anymore. She is one of ATL’s treasures and really gives children an opportunity to watch her beautiful story unfold. Lun Lunis such a good mama.
By Colleen Horan
November 27, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this
Wow Earthlink…don’t ya think you could spend a few more bucks to keep us panda fans in the know and keep our curiosity peaked by seeing our princess??
Its been SO enjoyable watching “Ms. Wiggles, Princess Peach, and Bling Bling” grow up, as she matures she’ll be even more sweet.
Earthlink…we thank you for what you’re doing now and ask for MORE!!
Colleen Lansing Michigan
By Lisa
November 27, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this
This is truly sad - limiting the panda cam hours. It was something my 5 year old daughter LOVED to do before school in the morning. She will be heartbroken.
By Eloise
November 27, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this
I’m glad to see that others are upset about the cutback in Panda Cam hours. My children and I love looking at the cub together; even my teenage son is captivated by her. But now the Panda Cam is only available while the kids are at school, so they won’t be able to view her at all anymore. I hope that a sponsor will step up and cover the cost of 24/7 again, or if that doesn’t happen, that Zoo Atlanta will adjust the hours to include some before or after school time and weekends.
By Lonna Barry
November 27, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this
As a transplanted Atlantan in Northern California, I have truly enjoyed my evenings at home after work watching Lun Lun and her baby. It has been so peaceful and theraputic watching them after a busy day at work. Shall we take up a collection so we can all continue this wonderful experience?
By diehard Panda Fan
November 27, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this
Man who is in charge at the Zoo?
I am so serious they need to be fired!
Why not charge $9.99 a month
I bet u would get at least 25,000 diehard panda lover to pay that amount and that would take care of the panda’s food and cribs and shoot create some merchandise for the new baby panada!
Also an additonal 25,000 subscriber could be created as a result of this from schools and scientists!
GOOD LAWD THAT LIL PANDA COULD BE A BIG MONEYSHAKER! lol
By ewhee
November 27, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
I love watching the cub but I am not having to pay for the service. How can anyone think that it is an outrage because you can’t see what the cub is doing in the middle of the night? Also someone has to operate the camera because if the cub moves and the camera is not moved with her I’m sure that everyone would be angry. If you are not having to pay for it I don’t think you should be so upset about it.
By Hawaii Resident
November 27, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this
I thoroughly enjoy watching the cub grow up under the watchful eye of its mother. I was shocked and disappointed when I found out about the cut in hours for viewing. Because of the time difference between Atlanta and Hawaii, I can only catch it before I go to work in the morning. By the time I get off work, there is no panda cam to view. It was enjoyable to watch it in the evenings and before going to bed. Hope that things will go back to the way they were. The San Diego and National zoos are able to provide 24/7 coverage.
By ANN PRINCE
November 27, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this
I REALLY LIKE WATCHING LUN LUN,& THE LITTLE PANDA,THEY’RE ARE SO CUTE.WELL,I RATHER SEE THEM WHENEVER I WANT,BUT,IF NOT AT LEAST I CAN SEE THEM BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9AM TO 4PM.THATS BETTER THAN NOT SEEING THEM AT ALL TO ME.
By Ebenezer
November 27, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this
Good! Now you people can get back to work.
By Rob M.
November 27, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this
Two comments:
1) They have somebody ‘staff’ the webcam??? Get a webcam with remote capability and the viewer can control the camera. I’m sure any computer store would gladly donate one.
2) If you’re getting a guaranteed 50,000 hits a day, and banner ad rates are around $5-100 per thousand impressions, so it would be reasonable to expect at least a couple of thousand $ per day if you put some ads on it…or I’m sure that some corporate sponsors would jump at the chance to sponsor it.
By Risker
November 28, 2006 07:46 AM | Link to this
Like many of you, I am very disappointed about the lack of visibility we now have of Lun Lun and the baby panda. My family and I have been hooked from day 1. It has become a family event in the evening to logon and see what happened that day and watch the baby panda grow. Truly something for all ages. We hate that has been taken away from us. With the kids in school and both parents at work during the day, none of us are able to watch her now. We had not contributed to Zoo Atlanta in several years, but did so 10 days ago because of the pandas. We wish we had waited 2 days more, we probably would not have sent such a generous contribution.
Shame on Earthlink, they have lost a potential customer in our family. Bring back CNN, they at least appreciated the public’s interest in and love of the baby panda. This is an extraordinary Atlanta event that should be available to everyone at any time of day.
By DnA
November 28, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this
Like most here, we are also extremely disappointed. We’ve been watching that little panda grow from day one. It’s as if she’s been part of the family over the last few months. Now the rug has been snatched out from under us, and the whole community.
The birth of the panda was also a major event for the zoo and the city of Atlanta. I cannot believe Earthlink would be such a lousy sponsor, especially when they made $33 million in profits last year. How much does it cost to run the cam 24/7? We thought it was all about the panda, and people doing things out of the goodness of their hearts. But I guess it’s actually all about cash. What a shame.
Try this. Google ‘pandacam’ and see how many other zoos run offer 24/7 cams. Quite a few. Yet another reason why Atlanta is becoming a second class city.
By pandagram
November 28, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
Please bring back the Panda Cam during non-bank/school hours so that children can have an opportunity to see this precious cub develop. It is the best chance to help them learn about pandas, species survival plans, and the consequences of habitat destruction all over the world.
Read Zoo Atlanta’s mission statement: We strive to inspire the citizens of Atlanta and Georgia and all visitors to the Zoo to value wildlife on Earth and to help safeguard existing species through conservation.
We do this by:
Providing an informative, educational, and engaging experience, Being respectful and responsible stewards of the animals and the physical and financial assets entrusted to us, and Engaging in related conservation activities and research.
I can’t think of a more engaging activity to motivate tens of thousands of people to care about the planet than regular panda-watching on the panda cam. Please make it available to the children - the future of conservation - during hours they can watch it.
Thank you.
By Sandra Yarnell
November 28, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this
I too have watached this precious gem from her birth (I have used a split screen on my computer so as not to miss any “special moments”)and will offer this suggestion. She seems to be most active sometime between 7:30-9:30 a.m. and again early evening. Mama is tending to her more during these hours. Would it not be possible to do a split shift on camera activity? This would also allow time for the children and our working community members to continue to enjoy her activities!
By B
November 28, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this
I am sooooo upset about the limited viewing of our baby panda. And I keep getting a pop up every five minutes that lets me know I have been watching for 5 minutes do I want to watch more, if I did not want to watch more I would sign off of the website. Please fix this so we can see our baby all the time again.
By trisha
November 29, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this
Well, I wrote the following to both your newspaper (as a letter to the editor) and to Zoo Atlanta’s head of Public Relations. Something makes me think both entities deposited it in their circular files, so I will post it here. I am in Rhode Island, by the way. I am so happy to read comments similar to mine. It seems that the little babe has connected so many of us in the most wonderful of ways!
i Has Zoo Atlanta gone mad? After providing 24-hour panda cam access to the most delightful panda cub in the world, they reduce viewing hours to 10 a.m to 5 p.m., weekdays only? I’d like to know the beneficiaries of that decision! For those of us who have watched that babe since she was the size of a stick of butter, this strikes as nothing short of unacceptable. The times most convenient for people with active day jobs have now been taken away entirely! And did anyone at Zoo Atlanta think of extending some hospitality to the people of the country that made this all possible? Are the hours between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. considered prime time viewing in China? I would like to implore Zoo Atlanta to find a way back to giving the world what the Smithsonian Zoo continues to give: 24-hour panda cam access, 7 days a week.
By Esther
November 29, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
The cam can be set at a fixed position over the panda cub in the “off” hours - it’s not like she’s getting up and walking around the room as yet. This requires no additional staffing. As for Earthlink’s miserly contribution of bandwith between 10-5, it seems positively ridiculous - they should be ashamed of themseleves and feel pretty stupid being a high-tech company making low-tech contributions.
By Christy
November 29, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this
I am so disappointed that we can not watch the Panda Cam 24/7 because I watched it all the time especially doing the weekend.
Christy
By GMC
November 30, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this
According to this link, the cam hours before the cub birth were 10-5 and the zoo staff thinks these are the peak viewing times now.
http://www.zooatlanta.org/zoonewsnewpandacamhours.htm
By gg
November 30, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this
Okay, it’s 10:47 a.m., and the Panda Cam is not up yet, what gives???
By Marion
November 30, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this
I am so disappointed in the panda cam hours. I spent every evening watching. I felt like I was getting to know her habits and loved it. I think it should be returned to a daily basis from 7 AM to 10 PM 7 days a week until she is on public display. I think that is the least that could be done for so many loyal zoo members and panda lovers out there.
By Matt
November 30, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
I really hope the zoo will find a way to have the web cam back to 24/7. I could see the cost of the bandwith, but personnel? The zoo has staff to watch the bears 24/7 to record the bear’s activities, so this person is not able to be multi task?!
The web cam did not work yesterday. It is still broke today!! Is this how Earthlink provide their service?
By trisha
November 30, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this
Hey gang I figured out what went wrong with panda cam. Seems a new “requirement” (excuse my conspiracy theory nature) is that you have to link to the cam from the top of the page. Then it opens up.
Per usual, Zoo Atlanta feels no need to offer such “superfluous” information, just the way they didn’t feel the need to explain to us why they were cutting back hours until, I assume, they were forced into it because of the negative publicity they were receiving.
For the record, my name for the babe is Fluff Butt. And yes, I actually talk to her and refer to myself as her “aunty”. I just love that little girl.
By pandalover4ever
November 30, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this
I’m not surprised by the cam being offline most of the day. Corporate sponsors are looking to cut costs at every angle they see. What is upsetting is many children and adults who have logged into the cam to see the baby grow and were waiting and anticipating to see her first steps at crawling and walking may now miss the opportunity because of the limiting hours. Most people work during the online hours and do not have the available resources or time to check on the cam during the day and most children have class and study during the school day and cannot be at the computer to watch the cam during the available hours.
The cam is a great opportunity to teach the next generation about the need to protect a precious and rare species and most important teach those currently able to take care of natural resources the need to protect the habitats these rare species share with us. The cam is a subtle reminder of these things as we all are concerned about what the future brings for our children’s children.
It was because of San Diego Zoos Panda Cam that I became interested in conservation and most concerned about the Giant Panda (ONLY 1,000 in the wild!). I feel it is a shame that so many kids and even adults may miss out because the zoo’s cam hours are inconvenient during the working/school day. Why can’t the cam be available on weekends too? My guess is the sponsors corporate managers are more concerned about their salary and bonuses to spend the little extra it would cost to run the cam on weekends.
As for the zoo, the cam is a great public relations tool. I’ve since gone on to make donations to San Diego and National Zoo’s conservation efforts and purchased merchandise from their stores. It is likely I wouldn’t have if I wasn’t on their websites to watch the panda cams (and other interesting animals).
By Kathy
December 1, 2006 07:24 AM | Link to this
The removal of 24 hr. viewing of our precious panda cub is such a disappointment. She is growing so fast and changing daily. Thousands have enjoyed watching her constantly. She will be up and about in just a few weeks. Why can’t the public continue to view her until she is out of cam range? We may never have this opportunity again, here in Atlanta. Please reconsider!
By Karen
December 1, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this
I am very saddened by the decreased hours of panda cam. Watching Lun Lun with her cub is like therapy. My friend Patty and I are both nurses and work in a busy emergency room in NJ. We both look forward to going home after a busy day and turning on panda cam. However, we work until 7pm (and go to work before 7am) so are unable to see Lun Lun or the cub at all on work days! She’s growing so fast and I feel like I’m missing it all!
By trisha
December 1, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this
I this text will be bolded refuse to believe that Zoo Atlanta is doing a thing about trying to provide more camera access. I now think they are a joke and the whole thing is about them and not the public. As long as they were getting publicity for the zoo, it is all they cared about. They get to see her all the time. That’s obviously all they care about too.
For those of us who watched Fluff Butt grow on a daily basis (at the times we could tune in after hours) it is actually painful to be shut off.
Karma is a b***. Thanks for the memories Zoo Atlanta. Hope that you get everything you ever want for your zoo - NOT.
By trisha
December 1, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this
Even the AJC is archaic! At least the NY Times lets you see your message in case you want to edit it before posting! Well I tried to bold a word according to the directions(or so I thought) and it didn’t work. In this post, please consider the word “refuse” to be bolded.
GEESH!
I refuse to believe that Zoo Atlanta is doing a thing about trying to provide more camera access. I now think they are a joke and the whole thing is about them and not the public. As long as they were getting publicity for the zoo, it is all they cared about. They get to see her all the time. That’s obviously all they care about too.
For those of us who watched Fluff Butt grow on a daily basis (at the times we could tune in after hours) it is actually painful to be shut off.
Karma is a b***. Thanks for the memories Zoo Atlanta. Hope that you get everything you ever want for your zoo - NOT.
By Julie
December 1, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this
I live in the UK and have been watching the cub every day since she was born - couldn’t love her more if she was my own! I was very disappointed when the webcam hours were cut - she is developing so quickly and I am still hoping to see her first step etc! Thanks for hours of enjoyment, I am now hoping to visit Atlanta for her first birthday! Take good care of her in the meantime!
By Stephanie
December 1, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
Oh behalf of the baby’s Ohio fans…WE MISS HAVING THE PANDA CAM ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!! If DC zoo can do it, so can Atlanta!!
By PUZZLED ABOUT PANDA CAM HOURS CHANGE
December 2, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this
By i know why
December 2, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
10-5 monday-friday hours must be the regular work schedule for the video cam operator…. that’s why. i am surprised the zoo ceo - dennis kelley - is letting this happen when he has worked so hard to invest the public in the pandas.
By trisha
December 2, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
But they have people watching the baby around the clock. It’s not real hard to focus a video cam.
Washington National has TWO panda cams, 24-7. You don’t really think people are operating those cams 24-7, do you? They have motion sensors set and that’s how the cams know what to pick up.
By James
December 2, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this
I just do not buy the excuse that it is a staffing issue at the zoo. We know that every move of mom and cub are minutely recorded for research.
Someone is watching.
You can bet that the camera is on 24/7. I would not be surprised at all to learn that Zoo Atlanta staff can also access the feed at anytime from home.
It is hard to explain, but ever since the camera time was reduced, I have felt less “affiliation” with the cub. You know, the feeling of “How is our cub doing today?” Well, it is pretty clear that it is not our cub and that we will be very lucky to see her first steps with this system in place.
I was expecting the camera feed to be removed once the cub was introduced to the main exhibit and I was looking forward to visiting her at the zoo. Now, I doubt that I will bother.
Earthlink could easily provide this service. Zoo Atlanta is not trying hard enough to get sponsorship.
By trisha
December 2, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this
Zoo Atlanta is not trying hard enough to get sponsorship.
Absolutely agree.
On the other hand, Tai Shan is an absolute delight.
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/default.cfm?cam=LP1
By Bob J
December 5, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
I have been a Panda addict since 1972. To feed this addiction I need panda cam time. I know I’m not alone here. To limit hours during this time of cub development is a bad decision. Sponsors should be beating a path to Zoo Atlanta’s door. How about cam hours of 8AM to 7PM 7 days a week?
By B
December 5, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this
What do we have to do to get them to bring our baby back 24/7? We need to do something!!!!
By trisha
December 5, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
I cannot believe that Atlanta is not up in arms!
I can see why the south lost the civil war! Maybe it’s not genteel to protest? Geeze Louise, up here there would be pickets, letters to the editor, news cameras and every other darned thing!
I feel frustrated because I wrote to both the zoo and the AJC - and of course got no response and my letter was not printed in the AJC.
I KNOW CNN is wealthy. I absolutely believe some sponsor would pick up the 24-7 if the zoo was really interested in having that happen.
DAMN!
By GMC
December 8, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
It’s after 10:30 and they still can’t get the cam going, but they are very punctual about turning it off at 5pm.