Bird Cams Around the World

Cub Confidential 9/4/13
Where in the World is Lun Lun?
Were you watching PandaCam last night? If you were, you may have noticed that Lun Lun was nowhere to be seen! Jenny Elgart, Keeper III, explains what exactly our favorite mom was doing:

“If you did stay up to watch PandaCam, Lun Lun was pretty much out of commission all night because she needed to pass a mucoid. Mucoid is mucous stool that usually occurs when a giant panda doesn’t eat its usual amount of bamboo for a period of weeks. When the pandas need to pass a mucoid, they basically curl up and rest until it's all over. During the night, Lun went into Den 3, where we do not have PandaCam, and stayed there until she was feeling up to par again. Because she needed some alone time, we put both cubs in their new "playpen" box together to sleep. Cub B did not gain much weight during the early evening (which is totally normal), but we wanted to give him one last chance to nurse before we pulled him for a few hours. I know we say it over and over again, but Lun Lun is an excellent mom. Even though she didn't feel like nursing him, she allowed us to lay him on her chest so he could get a quick snack before we joined him with his brother. She held him like a good momma, and she was totally fine with us then taking him away. Once she passed her mucoid at 6 a.m., she was back to her old self and ready for her babies and food!”

Thanks, Jenny! We know this is a normal part of being a giant panda mom, and we’re so happy to hear that Lun Lun stepped right back into being the best one ever!





You hear it first!
Our veterinarians perform exams on our cubs every week. Everything is checked, from the length of their legs to the function of their lungs. We have an exclusive video going live at 5:30 p.m. that walks you through a panda cub exam step-by-step. As a Cub Confidential subscriber, you are the first to know about it! Make sure you’re glued into Zoo Atlanta’s [url]=You hear it first! Our veterinarians perform exams on our cubs every week. Everything is checked, from the length of their legs to the function of their lungs. We have an exclusive video going live at 5:30 p.m. that walks you through a panda cub exam step-by-step. As a Cub Confidential subscriber, you are the first to know about it! Make sure you’re glued into Zoo Atlanta’s YouTube channel to watch the cutest check-up you’ll ever see!

I hadn't either. Poor Lun. Bet she feels better now.

Zoo Atlanta Friday, September 6 Report Wish I had seen this!
Yesterday evening, Lun Lun decided to leave the nest box and take a short nap away from Cub A. Both cubs are now very used to being on their own for longer periods of time. Usually they sleep, but last night Cub A was wide awake. I watched as he kicked his hind legs and successfully scooted forward a couple of inches! He wiggled himself in a circle and then took some more slow scoots another couple of inches in the opposite direction. All that practice must have taken a lot out of him because shortly after, Cub A fell fast asleep.
Jennifer A.
Keeper I, Mammals

Why does there seem to be more room for Lun Lun to move about and less room for the one at National? Or is it just the camera angles.

Thank You Carly. That makes sense to me. I see that they like to use their feet to kick and turn all the time. Less chance to drop the little one , when the feet can move momma around.

Thanks for the explanation carly.

Panda Updates
Tuesday, September 10
At this stage in the cubs’ development, we expect to see each cub nurse every four to six hours. Lun Lun seems to prefer nursing her cubs while she lies down; however, the cubs don’t always agree with this – they seem to prefer when she sits up. This means that nursing is one of the times when the cubs are the most vocal. Cub A is usually the fussiest and will let Lun Lun know when he is hungry or not comfortable in whatever position she is in. Cub B will also let Lun Lun know when heis hungry, but he is more laid back with his positioning. As long as he can nurse, he is a happy camper. Although it looks quite uncomfortable to have a cub yelling in her ear, Lun Lun doesn’t seem too bothered by it. She will do just about anything to quiet a fussy cub, whether she just repositions her body or moves the cub to another den to nurse.
She’s such a great mom!
Jennifer A
Keeper I, Mammals

Lun Lun the Eating Machine and Two Growing Cubs!


Both cubs now weigh over 2 kilograms! Cub A weighs 2.213 kilograms and Cub B weighs 2.251 kilograms. This is approximately 4.85 pounds each. Some of the most common cub questions are about the cubs’ weight and size updates. But sometimes we get confused with the cubs’ measurements in metric units. Why are the cubs’ measurements made in metric units? Curator of Mammals, Rebecca Snyder, PhD, shares why they don’t use imperial units:

“We do all of the cubs’ measurements in metric units because giant panda information is shared internationally. Thus, information on the development of the twins can readily be compared to information collected from cubs born in China and other countries. Metric units are also used in scientific publications. There are several metric conversion calculators available on the internet, which can be used by those who prefer measurements in ounces, pounds, etc.”

Thanks for clarifying, Rebecca. Whether it’s grams or pounds, the cubs’ cuteness is universal!



Jennifer Andrews, Keeper I, wanted to update Cub Confidential readers on how our favorite panda mom is doing:

“Over the last several weeks we have watched Lun Lun’s appetite return in full force! We are currently offering Lun Lun around 12 kilograms (26.46 pounds) of bamboo overnight. Just in the last few nights, we have watched her eat with a gusto that we have not seen since before she gave birth to the cubs! Over the next few months, we will continue to gradually increase the amount of bamboo that we offer in order to meet her needs. With previous cubs, we have offered Lun Lun up to approximately 30 kilograms (66.14 pounds) of bamboo overnight. Even though we did not reach this amount until around when her cub was starting to sample bamboo for himself, we expect that Lun Lun’s needs may reach this amount sooner and eventually surpass it since she is caring for two growing boys instead of just one!”

Thanks, Jennifer. Lun Lun is going to need all the energy she can get so she can keep up with the twins when they start walking!

We do collect as many of our frequently asked questions as we can in hopes that our giant panda team can address them in future editions of Cub Confidential or on our PandaCam blog page. If you’ve recently sent us a question, you may see it answered in this forum!

Gigi and you SGB always make me smile with your comments.

Panda Updates

Thursday, September 12
The cubs have hit another milestone tonight. We are now extending the the time between swaps a little bit more. The cubs are eating heartily at the beginning of every swap and then tend to zonk out for a few hours, so we are working our schedule with theirs. This extended period will give them more time to rest and give Lun more time to eat and rest up in preparation for the next hungry cub. Occasionally if Lun is away from the cubs for a length of time eating or resting, we will pull the cub and put him in the new "playpen" or "cub box" with his brother. This allows Lun to have some alone time and gives the cubs time together. During this time we are always monitoring Lun to make sure she is comfortable and happy eating or resting. As soon as she is ready, we give the cub right back to her. We'd much rather she care for them and we don't want to cause her any added stress by keeping them away longer than she'd like. As of now, while A and B are together they are not really acknowledging one another, but I can't wait for the day that they realize they have a new playmate and best friend. Get ready for incredible cuteness.
Jenny E
Keeper III, Carnivores

Wednesday, September 11
Lun Lun is steadily returning to her old self again. Now that she is food motivated she is more of a willing training participant. Yesterday I was able to call her over to the mesh to present her chest and belly for a quick visual and tactile exam. She has had no problems nursing the cubs and we have nothing to be concerned about, but we do like to check up on her just to see that everything looks good. She was more than willing to comply for her favorite biscuits and bananas, and I'm happy to report that she looks great and continues to do a fantastic job, despite being a tired and hungry momma.
Jenny E
Keeper III, Carnivores

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