Last week, the twin baby pandas at the Toronto Zoo reached an important milestone: their first 100 days of life. According to ZooBorns, mama panda Er Shun gave birth to the cubs on October 13, 2015.
This video from the Toronto Zoo chronicles their first 100 days from their (slightly icky) birth, care by zoo staff, bonding with mama, squawking like a penguin, and drinking lots and lots of meelks! Here’s to your next 100, kids!
Double-submitterated by Maureen and Monica, which makes it twice as awesome!
Eye thingies = getting ready for the big game, maybe?
Once they’re big enough, they would make great tackles! (And since this is your first comment, welcome to the site!)
I’m a fan-da of the panda.
Off topic: Link for Birdcage (or anyone els) to NY Times article about parrots helping Veterans who have PTSD. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/magazine/what-does-a-parrot-know-about-ptsd.html?mwrsm=Email
Amazing and humbling and heart-wrenching.
The beauty and kindness of Nature’s creatures never cease to amaze me, particularly in the face of human arrogance and cruelty.
Birdbrains, indeed.
So well said Madame X.
Thank you for posting that link Faye. The bond between humans and animals is a never ending miracle of love.
Humans can cut a pretty big swath of cruelty to other humans and animals. But I see attitudes changing in both regards.
I have been ignorant or thoughtless with animals way in the past. All we can do is make the best lives for the animals we share our homes with now.
I count as one of my best life experiences the relationship I have with my current cat. She was 9 when we were thrown closer together. I call her my redemption cat.
Thank you Saffron. Amazing.
Aww, thank you for posting that. Brought tears to my eyes. Being owned by a parrot has been best and the worst thing in my life. “Best” because they are such fascinating, smart, cunning, amazing creatures. My best and most complicated friend. “Worst” because of the slow dawning of realization I’ve felt every day for the last 10 years that we should no more keep these birds in a cage than we should keep a whale in a bathtub. I try every day to give him the best life I can – he can’t go back to the wild now, as he was born in captivity – but the guilt I feel that we are a flock of only a mismatched twosome! Knowing that he’ll likely outlive me and then what will happen to him? I love him so much.
ahh Birdcage I have no doubt that you are well matched and doing more than the best for your green miracle.
I bet you can make a prepared plan that would ease your mind.
How long is his lifespan?
No one really knows for sure how long these birds can live as a pet since this particular breed was not actively kept in captivity until the 1980s and lots is still being learned about nutrition & health care. When I acquired him, the wisdom was a lifespan of 30 years. Now some experts think maybe 50+ years. He’s 13 now. Sigh.
So he is your dependent other species companion. Your forever baby. I know you can start to plan for his future. Just like college or guardianship for a human baby. I sincerely hope I did not hurt your heart. I saw only the best in the article. Could you use your boy as a therapy parrot so he would know more people?
You certainly can. I knew an older gentleman in California who had a desert tortoise he had picked up as a pet many years before, which had since become illegal but his tortoise was grandfathered in because it was thriving in his care. He was selecting which one of his grandchildren would be the best next caretaker for the tortoise. Making a care plan for a beloved animal friend makes just as much sense as making one for your children!
Hope this encourages everybody.
Oh Birdcage I know it is easy to say “don’t feel guilty” but I think it is wonderment, love and joy…not guilt to feel. Our anipals come to us in different ways but what matters is when they are with us we love them as you do your parrot. A flock of mismatched twosome sounds pretty great to me.
If there is worry about what happens to him when you are gone, start the arrangements now. I am in my BFF’s will to take in her cats. Researching potential homes weather it is a sanctuary or a friend would perhaps ease some of your stress.
Hope this helps.
*whether, not weather. Blerg
Yes, it’s helpful. Thank you for your kind words.
Thanks so much for this link. I, too, considered rescuing a bird when I found myself the surviving spouse in this large, empty house. I decided I was too old to rescue a bird and then have him/her go through yet another transition upon my passing. My dog and cat rescues have a designated place to go if I survive them, their lifespans being much shorter than a bird’s, and, their species much easier to place.
Hi Janice,
At my age I have decided that when current cat goes I would only rescue an elderly small dog or cat.
But it’s not just long lived birds or aging humans. I wish every person could make designated arrangements for any pet. You never know what may happen in life at any age. And assuming family members will “take care of it” without formalizing an agreement often does not work. Hopefully more humans are becoming more thoughtful in all regards re earth’s other life forms.
You could always rescue parakeets (2 are better than one), cockatiels, or even a canary – their lifespan is shorter (similar to a small dog’s) and they are lovely, funny and affectionate birds (well, canaries… not so much). My dad (85) has always had a few, and I will continue to care for them once he’s gone (which I hope is not for a long, long time)
I can’t imagine not living around furry or feathered friends!
Oh I will try to rescue an adult or elderly cat. My housemates would sign on to care for a cat if need be. They are one dog at a time people. They get to decide about doggies.
Your just hanging out in the womb… then whoosh omgoosh it’s water slide time!!!!
Cutest animals on Earth imho. ??
If there’s an emoji just for YOU? You have arrived.
*You’re sigh
I watch that video over and over again. Love them sooooo mush.
Look at them,acting all smug and innocent.But they know what they have done.
Ha! Diabolical.
Panda Twin powers, activate!
Form of: Roly-Poly!
Shape of: Soccer Ball!
LOL!!
OMG! Words cannot express how cute these bebes are and how adorable the video is. I love the first picture, the cub in the back is all “whatchu talkin’ ’bout Willis”.
Thank you Mike for posting this. I know I will replay the video many times. I like how the cub’s squeaking seems to deepen as they get older. As adults they are virtually silent. The mama will chirp to her babies, growl at the daddy (he plays no part in the upbringing and she doesn’t want him around) and bark and huff (when put out). But an adult will never squeak cutely like the babies.
Gah! Soooo much proshness in one video! My brain is exploding in rainbows and glitter! I will need to watch this eleventy-hundred more times! *smmooch* to anerable bebehs!
I cannot believe how much they grow in just one hundred days!