Bamboo Time
Picture edited courtesy of Brian of Mariseo’s House. Thanks, Brian! |
But if you think such solitary creatures don’t know what to do when they have babies, you’re wrong. Mama Bai Yun has done well with the two babies she’s had so far – Hua Mei in 1999, and Mei Sheng in 2001.
When Hua Mei was born, Mama Bai Yun stayed with her in the birthing den for five whole days without drinking or eating. It was only on the fifth day that she ventured out and had a drink at the pool near the den. Even then, when she heard a squawk, she looked up and quickly returned to the den for her baby.
Maybe because Hua Mei was the first baby she had, Mama Bai Yun was extra careful with her. By the time Mei Sheng was born – and probably because he’s a boy – she was less afraid to leave him on his own. She left the birthing den on the fourth day, a day earlier than for Hua Mei. Later, it was reported that when Mei Sheng cried for attention when Mama was eating, she pushed him away in favour of her bamboo. This was when he was a few months older, and not a helpless newborn.
Of course, the San Diego Zoo staff took extra care with Hua Mei, too, putting her on public display only when she was six months old, whereas Mei Sheng met the world when he was four months old.
When it came time for Mama Bai Yun to be separated from her first born, the Zoo made a big deal of it, videotaping the event for posterity. Here’s a photo of their last time together:
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In Mei Sheng’s case, it was reported that the separation was natural, with no pictures to mark the occasion (well, at least, nothing posted on the web site). Aww …
Meanwhile, Mama Bai Yun is getting ready for another mating season. If all goes well, there will be the pitter-patter of tiny giant panda cubby paws at the San Diego Zoo later this year.
Stay tuned …
