Over the weekend, female giant panda Bai Yun began to exhibit signs of estrus and was paired with male Gao Gao on Sunday and again on Monday at the San Diego Zoo. Although the pair showed interest in each other on Tuesday, it did not lead to another coupling. In 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009, the results of this match led each time to the birth of a single cub.
The giant panda team, made of zookeepers, veterinarians, nutritionists, scientists and others, will monitor Bai Yun's behavior over the coming months, looking for signs of a possible pregnancy. If this week's breeding attempts successfully lead to a pregnancy, it would make 20-year-old Bai Yun the oldest-known female giant panda to give birth. If this occurs, a cub could be born in late summer or fall.
Unfortunately, the 2011 breeding season was not fruitful. Last year, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research scientists observed increases in Bai Yun's progesterone levels typical of past pregnancies, and behavioral changes, such as activity levels and suppression of appetite, at levels similar to prior gestation periods. Thermal images last year revealed activity in both the left and right uterine horns; however, ultrasound images never revealed a fetus nor was a cub born.
Bai Yun's behavior and hormone levels did not indicate that age contributed to a failed pregnancy in the 2011 breeding season. Medical exams of Gao Gao also offer no obvious age-related issues that would prevent conception. Because both pandas are in good health and both exhibited signs of breeding interest, the panda team allowed the pair to mate this year.
Bai Yun has delivered five cubs at the San Diego Zoo. In 1999, her first cub, Hua Mei, became the first giant panda conceived by artificial insemination in the Western Hemisphere and the first in the United States to survive to adulthood. Four of Bai Yun's offspring are now in a breeding program in the People's Republic of China. Her fifth cub, Yun Zi, remains at the San Diego Zoo.
Bai Yun was born at the China Center for Research and Conservation of the Giant Panda in the Wolong Nature Reserve on Sept. 7, 1991. She was the first panda to be born and survive at the breeding center. Bai Yun, who's name means "white cloud" in Chinese, arrived in San Diego in September 1996 on a research loan. Gao Gao, a 20-year-old rescued, wild-born giant panda, arrived at the San Diego Zoo in January 2003 from China after reintroduction efforts failed to keep him out of areas inhabited by humans.
The San Diego Zoo is one of four zoos in the United States with giant pandas. The Zoo began its long-term giant panda conservation partnership with the China in 1996 to study this endangered species. As part of this long-term program, the Zoo is collaborating with the Chinese Academy of Science in studies of behavior, ecology, genetics and conservation of wild pandas living in the Foping Nature Reserve.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sun Shines on Debut of Rhino Calf at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
The female calf named Charlees, Hindi for Charlie, was born on Jan. 20 to first-time mother, Alta. The pair spent the first two months in a boma where Charlees could bond with her mother before the calf could meet the remainder of the seven-member, greater one-horned rhino herd.
The calf and mother came racing out of the boma, stopped to say hello to the other rhinos and continued trotting along the 40-acre Asian Savanna habitat where the calf saw other species for the first time including a large bovine called a gaur.
Once widespread in Southeast Asia, the greater one-horned rhinoceros is now found only in India and Nepal. Numbering approximately 2,800, this species is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 2011, the poaching of wild rhinos increased exponentially, reducing populations of this species as well as black, white, Javan and Sumatran rhinoceros.
Charlees is the 61st greater one-horned rhino born at the Safari Park since 1975, making the Park the foremost breeding facility in the world for this species. The Park is also the first facility in the Western Hemisphere to have a successfully reproducing group of third- and fourth-generation rhinos of this species.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park Aflutter with Prep for Butterfly Jungle
Hundreds of plants full of succulent nectar are arriving in the Hidden Jungle aviary at the same time that hundreds of pupae are emerging into gorgeous butterflies in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park hatching room. This week, the Park is aflutter with preparations for one of the biggest events of the year: Butterfly Jungle, which opens Saturday, March 24, and runs through Sunday, April 15, 2012.
Once a year, guests at the Safari Park are enchanted and spellbound as thousands of butterflies flitter around them in the walk-through aviary. But all that magic doesn't happen without a lot of work. Eight months ago, the Safari Park staff began growing some of the plants that will sustain these fragile creatures. Hundreds of the 30 species of butterflies that will inhabit Hidden Jungle are emerging each day.
The Park's horticulture staff replaces 200 to 300 plants of a dozen varieties each week of the event to make sure the flowers are fresh and full of nectar for the butterflies. The plants need to be in the peak of their bloom before going into Butterfly Jungle, and the skill of choosing the plants at the perfect time has been handed down from horticulturist to horticulturist for years.
"The plants provide a wonderful nectar source for the butterflies that sustains their lives," said Cary Sharp, the Safari Park's curator of horticulture.
Butterfly Jungle is included with admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Once a year, guests at the Safari Park are enchanted and spellbound as thousands of butterflies flitter around them in the walk-through aviary. But all that magic doesn't happen without a lot of work. Eight months ago, the Safari Park staff began growing some of the plants that will sustain these fragile creatures. Hundreds of the 30 species of butterflies that will inhabit Hidden Jungle are emerging each day.
The Park's horticulture staff replaces 200 to 300 plants of a dozen varieties each week of the event to make sure the flowers are fresh and full of nectar for the butterflies. The plants need to be in the peak of their bloom before going into Butterfly Jungle, and the skill of choosing the plants at the perfect time has been handed down from horticulturist to horticulturist for years.
"The plants provide a wonderful nectar source for the butterflies that sustains their lives," said Cary Sharp, the Safari Park's curator of horticulture.
Butterfly Jungle is included with admission to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
SEAWORLD ORLANDO RELEASED REHABILITATED SEA TURTLE
A loggerhead turtle that swallowed a 4 inch-long fishing hook was released today
Just weeks after SeaWorld veterinarians removed a 4 inch-long fishing hook from its throat, the rehabilitated loggerhead turtle returned home to the waters just south of Cocoa Beach this morning.
The turtle, a sub-adult weighing approximately 100 pounds, was rescued from the intake canal at the St. Lucie Power Plant in St. Lucie County, Fla. The animal arrived at SeaWorld Orlando February 26 and immediately underwent surgery following x-rays and blood work procedures. Vets removed a 4-inch-long fish hook, and after a speedy recovery, the turtle was released back into the wild.
The loggerhead was found by the Inwater Research Group - an organization committed to the research and conservation of coastal species and habitats – who also assisted in the animal’s transport.
According to SeaWorld veterinarians, the fishing hook was one of the largest the team has removed to date. To help protect this threatened species, make sure fishing line and all trash is disposed of properly. When fishing, use new "circle" hooks - turtles are less likely to swallow the circle-shaped hooks than traditional J-shaped, which cause suffocation or internal bleeding when swallowed. Also, if a sea turtle’s nest is seen, please contact authorities.
This year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued nine sea turtles. For 45 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has helped animals in need -- ill, injured and orphaned. More than 20,000 animals have been rescued by our experts. SeaWorld’s animal rescue team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Just weeks after SeaWorld veterinarians removed a 4 inch-long fishing hook from its throat, the rehabilitated loggerhead turtle returned home to the waters just south of Cocoa Beach this morning.
The turtle, a sub-adult weighing approximately 100 pounds, was rescued from the intake canal at the St. Lucie Power Plant in St. Lucie County, Fla. The animal arrived at SeaWorld Orlando February 26 and immediately underwent surgery following x-rays and blood work procedures. Vets removed a 4-inch-long fish hook, and after a speedy recovery, the turtle was released back into the wild.
The loggerhead was found by the Inwater Research Group - an organization committed to the research and conservation of coastal species and habitats – who also assisted in the animal’s transport.
According to SeaWorld veterinarians, the fishing hook was one of the largest the team has removed to date. To help protect this threatened species, make sure fishing line and all trash is disposed of properly. When fishing, use new "circle" hooks - turtles are less likely to swallow the circle-shaped hooks than traditional J-shaped, which cause suffocation or internal bleeding when swallowed. Also, if a sea turtle’s nest is seen, please contact authorities.
This year, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued nine sea turtles. For 45 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has helped animals in need -- ill, injured and orphaned. More than 20,000 animals have been rescued by our experts. SeaWorld’s animal rescue team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Kathy Ireland Takes a Spin at Universal Orlando Resort
Supermodel Kathy Ireland visited Universal Orlando Resort, and we snapped a photo as she experienced a highly-visual attraction in Seuss Landing.
Koala Babies Receive First Medical Exam
Less than a year old and barely out of each mother's pouch, two young joeys visited the San Diego Zoo veterinary hospital today for their first routine medical exam. The two youngsters, named Thackary and Milo, were born last year in the Zoo's koala colony. Both babies are doing fine and received clean bills of health.
"Here at the San Diego Zoo we have seen instances of hip dysplasia in koalas," said Geoff Pye, D.V.M, veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo. "We try to do exams on koala youngsters at an early age so we can watch and ensure that they do not have problems as they get older."
The San Diego Zoo's koala colony is the largest group of this species outside of Australia. They are currently not available for guest viewing due to construction of the Zoo's newest koala habitat, the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback, scheduled to open in spring 2013. The Australian Outback will immerse both koalas and guests in a eucalyptus forest surrounding a classic Aussie Queenslander-style house that will serve as a care center. People can find out more about the project or help support it by visiting www.sandiegozoo.org/koalas.
"Here at the San Diego Zoo we have seen instances of hip dysplasia in koalas," said Geoff Pye, D.V.M, veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo. "We try to do exams on koala youngsters at an early age so we can watch and ensure that they do not have problems as they get older."
The San Diego Zoo's koala colony is the largest group of this species outside of Australia. They are currently not available for guest viewing due to construction of the Zoo's newest koala habitat, the Conrad Prebys Australian Outback, scheduled to open in spring 2013. The Australian Outback will immerse both koalas and guests in a eucalyptus forest surrounding a classic Aussie Queenslander-style house that will serve as a care center. People can find out more about the project or help support it by visiting www.sandiegozoo.org/koalas.
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT’S HOLLYWOOD DRIVE-IN GOLF IS NOW OPEN
Universal Orlando Resort officially opened central Florida ’s newest and most outrageously-themed miniature golf experience– Hollywood Drive-In Golf at Universal CityWalk. Featuring two 18-hole courses based on classic drive-in era horror and sci-fi movies, this all-new venue is the only place where the entire family can enjoy teeing off through the open mouth of a giant space worm or the basement laboratory of a towering haunted house.To celebrate the grand opening, some of Universal Orlando’s iconic characters “hit the links.” Universal’s classic monsters – including Dracula, Wolfman, Frankenstein’s Monster and the Bride of Frankenstein – putted their way through a creepy cemetery on “The Haunting of Ghostly Greens” course. On the opposite side, Men In Black agents and Frank the Pug played “Invaders from Planet Putt” – a course themed after the “little green men” science fiction films of the 1950s.
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