00:01This 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. Obviously feeding lots of full meals, has a full belly, very content,
00:21good ambulation, good vitality, looks terrific, signature black and white in full color.
00:27They've had a great idea this year. They've started doing some tactile desensitization,
00:32which is a big word for saying they go in there and each day they give a little gentle stroke
00:35and that makes the cub feel more comfortable.
00:37So during the exam they did the same sort of gentle stroking around the head
00:40and 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,
00:53which 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.
01:08We're here at the Panda Research Station and we've just completed our weekly veterinary evaluation of the panda cub.
01:16Well this is a pretty exciting week. He's starting to open his eyes.
01:19He's starting to get a little bit of a sense of ambulation, so he's beginning to learn how to use
01:23his limbs
01:23and walk about the den a little bit. He's right on track for all of his growth parameters.
01:28His weight is good. All of his measurements are good.
01:30His 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.
01:42So 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, our interactions with him.
01:54So that's allowed us to extend things and I'm not sure whether that's simply his nature
01:58or 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
02:08doing our exams.
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