Home > Panda Watch > Archives > 2006 > November > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWeekly checkup: This kid’s healthy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What can you say about such a healthy little creature?
She’s growing like a weed? She’s as round as a beer keg? She’s furrier than a sack of kittens? All of the above?
Well, yes. Zoo Atlanta’s baby giant panda underwent her weekly examination Thursday morning, the 10th since her birth on Sept. 6. Try as they might, her examiners could find nothing wrong with her. The kid’s healthy.
Dr. Maria Crane, the zoo’s senior veterinarian, woke the cub from a sound slumber. A fine rain fell, November’s final curtain. The cub was 85 days old.
She was docile during the 10-minute checkup, hardly twitching as Crane took note of the vitals:
Length: 23 inches. Zoo workers aren’t sure how much she’s grown since her checkup last week, when her wiggles would have made a worm envious.
Weight: 9.9 pounds. Last week, she weighed 9.1.
Teeth: Her incisors, which zoo staff discovered a week ago, have emerged nicely. Her bamboo-chewing choppers, the premolars, are about to erupt.
She’s “significantly furrier” this week. The cub looks as if she were drawn with chalk and charcoal, her markings as distinct as those on a pair of saddle oxfords.
A final finding: Her “abdominal girth” — that’s science talk for waistline — is nearly 18 inches. She’s chubby, in other words.
“It’s normal conformation for a bear,” Crane said.
That’s more science talk, of course. It means that the cub is in fine health as zoo officials prepare for her naming Dec. 15, when she is 100 days old.
Comments
By JIM COLINS
November 30, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this
SHE IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE POKED FUN OF AND TEASED IN SCHOOL. CONSIDER EXERCISE. CONSIDER LIPO IF THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE AT AGE 14.
By Sean from Alpharetta
November 30, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this
Awe, so cute. And then Awe!
By Jenifer C.
November 30, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this
The baby panda is like so cute. Did they like give her a name yet? Who cares about the weight. It will like all work out in the end.
By Lorrie
November 30, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this
How adorable. I can’t wait to see her. Hey jen: they are getting ready to select a name. I think she is going to turn into a healthy and above avg size panda.
By HAROLD
November 30, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this
Oh look. A bear. Can we go back?
By GAIREK
November 30, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this
A BIG “AWE” AND THEN “AWE” SHE’S SO CUTE. I WISH SHE WAS A HE.
By A in Forysth
November 30, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this
Thanks AJC for allowing so many to share in the joys of experiencing the birth and growth process of this panda. I go to my “happy place” every time I read a story or view photos or video of the baby panda. What an amazing display of nature and creation.
By Gary from Milton
November 30, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this
JIM COLINS, That is such a dumb comment. You are an idiot. Shouldn’t you be in middle school?
By Jodi
November 30, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this
Very adorable! Can’t wait until tomorrow to cast my vote.
Jim Colins - WTF???
By Justin
November 30, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
The baby panda is too adorable! Jim Collins get a life dude!
By HAROLD
November 30, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this
Somone could only be so lucky to be close to a bear.
By Gary from Milton
November 30, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this
Jim, Go away. You obviously are very stressed out and angry right now. Take a chill pill.
By Jennifer C.
November 30, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this
Thanks Lorrie. I am like so going to vote. Is there like a choice to pick from or like can you just write in a name? A name: How about like Priscilla, or something?
By Lorrie
November 30, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this
Hey Gairek, You are weird! I agree though. Whenever I see the panda picture, I think.. “AWE”
Lorrie - I don’t know how it’s going to work.
By Sean from Alpharetta
November 30, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this
Hey Jim, I disagree with what you are saying but I think you are very admirable.
By Gairek
November 30, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this
Lorrie - I am not weird. I think she is so cute. Awe! And then, Awe!
By Gary from Milton
November 30, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this
Gairek - GO AWAY What kind of name is that anyway?
By The Panda
November 30, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this
I wish you all would leave me alone. The reason I am so big is because I drink alot of beer and stay up late dancing. I went to a rave last night and ate (16) glow sticks. I think they will go to my hips.
Hey Gairek, if you are reading this I found out that someone broke up with you in another blog. If I would have known that, I would have never dated you. I took your stuff to the Goodwill and changed my locks. Now this has happened to you twice. What a looser
AND THEN AWE.
By Scott Lewis
November 30, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this
What is the origin of Panda?
By Char
November 30, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
Many thanks to the AJC for the weekly updates. From someone who doesn’t live in Atlanta but supports your zoo financially, I appreciate your interest in the development of this little endangered species panda cub!
By Suzanna
November 30, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this
She is the cutest little doll I’ve ever seen! She sure takes after her Mama with all that fur! I’m so glad she’s a healthy, happy little cub!
By MavsMan
December 1, 2006 07:18 AM | Link to this
They should name the panda cub Bling Bling. Sounds Chinese and reflects our local culture.
By Capt
December 1, 2006 07:36 AM | Link to this
This panda origionated with its mother an father.
By Bobbie
December 1, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this
Why do you make things so dang difficult???? All I wanted to do was vote on the Panda’s New Name and you want me to give my life history. I don’t read your stupid newspaper and will not give you the information you wanted just to vote for a name!!!! Good grief, Charlie Brown. Stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Mary
December 1, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this
What a cutie. I envy the people who will be her keepers when she starts walking. I’ve been watching Tai Shan for 16 months and now I have a new little girl to watch grow.
By panda lover
December 1, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
Really wish we could view her more hours than 10 am - 5pm. There are those of us out there who would really like to see her when she WAKES up at night to play. Her days and nights are mixed up right now. Please reconsider Zoo Atlanta.
By CRYSTAL
December 1, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this
she is yhe cutest little bear,adorable
By Michelle
December 1, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this
I voted for “Atlanta Beauty” since “Snerk” wasn’t available. I just wish I could sit her in my lap and pet her.
By TeeHeeHee
December 1, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this
Awe? Are you in awe of the panda cub, or are you saying “awwwww”? snicker
By Name It
December 1, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
Although the cub was born in Atlanta, it still belongs to China, therefore I don’t think any name that refers to Atlanta is appropriate. I voted for “beautiful star”.
By Name It
December 1, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Although the cub was born in Atlanta, it still belongs to China, therefore I don’t think any name that refers to Atlanta is appropriate. I voted for “beautiful star”.
By Name It
December 1, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
Although the cub was born in Atlanta, it still belongs to China, therefore I don’t think any name that refers to Atlanta is appropriate. I voted for “beautiful star”.
By Slim
December 1, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this
I still like the name Bling Bling for this Panda. Someone posted that a couple of weeks ago.
Perfect!
By T.MARTIN
December 1, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
BLING BLING IT IS! I BE LOVING THAT NAME.
By Julie
December 1, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this
My friend and I have been calling her Min Min sice she was born - not sure what the Chinese translationn for that is but it may be hard now to think of calling her anything else!!
By Pam
December 1, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this
I still cannot believe that there isn’t a single local corporation that is willing to underwrite the panda cam 24/7. Bob Nardelli probably makes enough money in a half hour to pay for the panda cam for 5 years. I vote for Mei Lan, as I see no reason NOT to name her after the city of her birth.
By ChillPill
December 1, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this
Sheesh, Bobbie, take a blood pressure pill and take your finger off the exclamation key before you wear it out. If you’re asked to register, just make something up. Most people do. There are even websites with canned user names and passwords for various sites that require registration.
By LA
December 1, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this
I like Ming Yue, 明月 (ming-yuu) “bright moon” because she was born during a full moon. Plus it was suggested by the staff that spends everyday with her.
By ViCkFaN
December 1, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this
AtL BlinG-bLiNg is kool.
By Jan
December 1, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe how much enjoyment I get from watching little Bling Bling grow up. So many horrible reportings in AJC and on the news, we need something pleasant to think about. Thanks Atlanta Zoo, China & AJC!
By kara
December 1, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this
this is gay get a life and a real job:)
By PAm
December 2, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this
I too have been following Tai shan since the beginning . it is wonderful to be able to watch these precious animals grow. I wish the cam would go back to 24/7 cam. I work till 5 and can’t take time to watch. I miss watching her in the morning with my coffee. Please reconsider! I am from West Virginia ,so your cams reach all over the states. I also enjoy the Daily updates.
By puzzled about zoo atlanta panda cam hours
December 2, 2006 09:18 AM | Link to this
* Why would they turn off the 24/7 panda cam right when people are voting for a name, getting ready to celebrate the 100-day mark, and before the holiday season? * Earlier articles said they needed to raise lots of money through membership and gifts to support the panda costs. Don’t they have any marketing folks at Zoo Atlanta that can see the value of having the camera on when the cub is active and the public not at work??? Please bring back 24/7 Panda Cam or change the hours so working folks and children can follow the Atlanta cub… otherwise their interest - and support - will switch to Washington and San Diego pandas.
By Sonya
December 2, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this
She is very cute and we have all enjoyed watching her grow. It helps us with our day. She is an Atlanta Beauty.
By Super Smiles
December 2, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this
How can you not love a baby panda?! It is literally impossible!
By Debbie
December 2, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this
The baby panda is the cutest, how could you not fall in love with her. Last year I watched the baby panda grow up at the National zoo panda cam, and it just gets better. When they start to crawl, climb and explore it’s just sooo cute. Like litte baby toddlers! I thank the sponsors of the panda cam, but I do wish they could expand the hours, to at least include the weekends. Lot of people work M-F and will not be able to view the cam during those hours. Isn’t Coca Cola headquarters in Atlanta? Surley they could afford to sponsor a panda cam right in their home town!?!
By norene
December 2, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this
I was a little girl when the very first baby panda came to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. I was taken to see her and she was beautiful…..just as beautiful as Atlanta’s baby……but aren’t all pandas beautiful ?
By Tai Watcher
December 2, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this
Yes, Debbie, Coca Cola, Home Depot, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, CNN, Ted Turner, these people might have a few extra bucks to through the zoos’ way.
By Bonnie/Zoo Atlanta Docent
December 2, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this
I just want to thank the Lord for our beautiful Panda Cub, for her good health, and her normal growth and development. It will be an awesome experience to see her with Lun Lun when she comes out on exhibit.
By Pandaholic
December 2, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this
This little Panda girl is the first baby Giant Panda to survive at the AZoo. She is adorable and priceless. She only looks so chubby because her fur is very very thick due to the cold weather of winter moving in. Watch her on the cam as much as you can. It brings back the wonder of life. I like the name Ming Yue, because she was born under full moon, she has a perfectly round “moon” face which Chinese think is the most beautiful shape of face. Her Mom is Lun Lun, pronounced Loon Loon, again refering to the lunar or moon. But most of all it sounds so beautiful and melodic.
By Wanda
December 3, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
With all the oohing going on, how about naming her Awe-Awe? Misspelled with an e on the end, the word has a serendipitous double meaning.
By norma
December 4, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
I belong to a blog in WV—-We have been watching TAI in Wash. Zoo—-& now your new female panda—-We have nick-named herBUTA-BUTA—-She is AWESOME!
By Fer Shure
December 6, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this
Funny…I didn’t have to give any information to vote for the name.
Bright Star, or Bright Moon (there was a full moon the day she was born) are the appropriate names.
I agree that it should not have anything to do with Atlanta since everything Atlanta touches turns to dust.
By Charles Johnson
December 6, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this
It is a wonderful irony that my name choice comes from WAGA; BEAUTIFUL as a name for the Panda, and the description of Amanda.
By T
December 9, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this
She is soooo adorable ad she’s getting so big. I was going to suggest the name Shen Ji, meaning miracle. But I’m voting for Mei Lan. Can’t wait to hear her name!