Has anyone got news of ? succesful A.I. of Mei :question:

The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin's daughter Bindi visited the zoo and had her picture taken with Tian Tian. The pic is in the Washington Post if anyone wants to read the article. just copy and paste http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03251.html here is the pic:

here's a cute pic of Tian Tian I found on the Pandas Unlimited Flickr page. Awesome pics there.

New photos of Tai Shan in Bifengxia:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/86696453@N ... 597130935/

Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01Gi-v-WbyI

http://www.youtube.com/user/yingying816 ... -ol814ADVg

March 26


Mei Xiang

The longer days of early spring cast long shadows on the floor of panda enclosure number four, now empty since Tai Shan’s departure in February. We feel the emptiness and at the same time, we are buoyed by the warm sunlight we so welcome after our seemingly endless winter. Tai Shan has settled with confidence into new surroundings, devoured new bamboo species, and enjoys the attentive care of his expert panda keepers, on the other side of the world. Food is the universal language, which eases all transitions, and Tai has handled it all exceptionally, as documented in the photos of double-fisted feasts, on homemade panda bread.

Mei Xiang and Tian Tian continue about their daily routine. As we provide and monitor enrichment, perhaps we can persuade them to better favor the mysterious enclosure number four. For now, it remains unoccupied. Mei Xiang is being closely monitored for signs of a real pregnancy. Only slight changes have started to be observed. Mei is eating less bamboo, could it be...? Or is it the warmer weather? Ah, she is a bit spacey and slow moving today, perhaps she will go to her den... and then she goes outside! Yes, we all know the 50-50 nature of our endeavors, the possibility of another pseudo, or false, pregnancy, however we hope with every passing day that this year will be a golden one and that we will experience the joys of 2005 all over again.

Even though we do not know definitively what will happen, we prepare for all possibilities. The volunteers get data-collection training. The cameras are serviced to ensure they're in working order. Mei Xiang is trained in her den and monitored by ultrasound. All maintenance repairs are completed. Nursery inventory is reviewed in case a cub needs special care. Formula-making is practiced. Building closing plans are developed to ensure Mei has a quiet den environment. Management protocols for birth are reviewed, in case of a single cub or twins. And last but not least, Tian Tian, who is still in rut, needs extra feedings and enrichment, to ensure his well being.

This was posted on the National Zoo's website:

Note: The indoor area of the Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat has closed because as Mei Xiang has entered the secondary phase of her pregnancy, or pseudopregnancy. Tian Tian will be on exhibit outside from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day.

Thoughts, prayers, and pseudo-thumbs crossed for a successful pregnancy this year!

Mei Xiang


Tian Tian

All over the news today about mei's hormone levels rising ...so 40-50 days they said until we know if it's another psuedo pregnancy or a real one.. Please be real this time...

Treats for both parents

Mei Xiang licks the fruity and the package



Tian