00:00This morning we were fortunate enough to have a little exam with the cub.
00:04We got some time with the cub away from Vi, which is a fortunate moment.
00:07Very good physical exam, very cooperative, happy full belly cub, so that's always nice.
00:16The baby's doing great.
00:17Obviously feeding lots of full meals, has a full belly, very content, good ambulation, good vitality, looks terrific.
00:23Signature black and white in full color.
00:27They've had a great idea this year.
00:29They've started doing some tactile desensitization, which is a big word for saying they go in there and each day they give a little gentle stroke and that makes the cub feel more comfortable.
00:37So during the exam they did the same sort of gentle stroking around the head and that is a reassuring thing for the cub, makes it feel at home, makes it feel safe.
00:44And that really enhances our exam because the cub is quiet and at ease.
00:49Everyone seemed very content, I think having your tummy full of good food, which Vi is perfect at providing, makes for a very happy cub during the exam.
00:56And Vi certainly seemed very comfortable while we had the cub in hand.
00:59We're here at the panda research station and we've just completed our weekly veterinary evaluation of the panda cub.
01:14Well this is a pretty exciting week, he's starting to open his eyes, he's starting to get a little bit of a sense of ambulation, so he's beginning to learn how to use his limbs and walk about the den a little bit.
01:25He's right on track for all of his growth parameters, his weight is good, all of his measurements are good, his eye opening right about now is just about where we'd expect it.
01:33We're starting to see some opening at the ear canal, so that's all where we'd expect him to be.
01:38Obviously when we do an exam, we cue the length to his own comfort level, so if he becomes uncomfortable or if his mother looks like she's concerned, then we're done.
01:46But this cub has been very, very mellow, I'd say, tractable.
01:50He doesn't seem to be terribly bothered by our measurements or our interactions with him, so that's allowed us to extend things.
01:55And I'm not sure whether that's simply his nature or, perhaps more likely, it's because the keepers have worked really hard to make him feel comfortable amongst us.
02:03So when they're there to reassure him, he feels that he's in a good place and safe zone while we're doing our exams.
