Explore Bears

Join the world's leading experts and non-profit organizations to discover everything there is to know about bears in the wild.

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When Do Pandas Get Their Eye Patches? / by Pandas International

If you're a pirate, you have to earn your eye patch. Pandas get theirs automatically at about 1 week of age. This video from the Smithsonian National Zoo, featuring Bao Bao, explains. And happy belated birthday to Bao Bao, who turned 1 in August and celebrated with a decadent cake made of frozen diluted apple juice -- great for eating AND climbing!

Stop in and see some of Bao Bao's distant relatives on HD live cam and share your favorite snapshots in the comments. We'll pick the top 5 each week and share them on the explore blog.

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Top 5 Giant Panda Snapshots 

Some great snapshots this week! Check these out, and go grab your own on the live cams. (Snapshot above by viewer Wojodog1-Greensboro, N.C.)

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Triple the Pandas, Triple the Cute! / by Pandas International

It's cubbie season and our hearts are all aflutter with the arrivals of new panda cubs. Particularly fun to watch are Ju Xiao's triplets, who are looking more like pandas every time we see an update. Check out this recent photo, and visit the big pandas on HD live cam. 

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Top 5 Photos of the Week 

We had a lot of contributors this week, grabbing some great snapshots of our beloved Giant Pandas doing what they do. Check out this week's highlights, and keep the snapshots coming! Don't forget to join our caption contest -- we'll announce the winner next week. (Snapshot above by viewer violet77.)

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Top 5 Giant Panda Photos of the Week

It's been a foggy week on the live cams, but viewers continue to capture great moments. Enjoy the panda cams and grab a few snapshots of your own — yours might show up in our top 5 next week! (snapshot above by viewer Copaz-NJ.)

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Beat the Heat! / by Pandas International

How do you stay cool during the summer? Well, it's a little more challenging for our friends in their fur coats, but we can always count on our Giant Pandas to show us that where there's a will, there's a way. Here's a super cute roundup of how pandas in Qinling Giant Panda Field Training Base -- in northwest China's Shaanxi Province -- stay cool in record-breaking temperatures. 

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We just posted the top 5 panda snapshots from this week. Check them out, and grab your own snapshots on our HD live cams. Share them in the comments for all to enjoy, and yours might make next week's roundup!

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From Conception Through Year 1: Part 2 of 4 / by Pandas International

It's birthing season! As we discussed in the first installment of this series, conception can be tricky for Giant Pandas, especially in captivity. In Part 2, we'll talk more about the newborn panda. Read Part 2 here, and stop by and visit the Giant Pandas via HD live cam here. 

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Qiang Qiang and I, Part 4 / by Pandas International

This is the final installment of a beautiful story from Qiang Zhou, a panda keeper at CCRCGP. Catch up on the story so far, and read on for Part 4. We encourage you to stop by and visit the other pandas via HD live cam, too!

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Qiang Qiang and I, Part 3 / by Pandas International

This is the continuation of an inspiring account from Qiang Zhou, a panda keeper at CCRCGP. Catch up on what's happened so far, and read on for the rest of the story.

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"You swing and I'll spin."

Panda Cam snapshot by Rob.

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Qiang Qiang and I, Part 2 / Pandas International

This is the continuation from a story we started earlier this week: a wonderful account from a panda keeper at CCRCGP. It continues with the miracle of life. 

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Qiang Qiang and I, Part 1 / Pandas International

We're excited to share Part 1 of a fantastic series from Qiang Zhou (translated by Pat Weiyi Zhang), a panda keeper at CCRCGP. This series chronicles the story of Qiang Qiang - a panda who was found with two shattered back legs - and those whose hearts and souls went into saving his life. Part 1 sets the stage with an account of how Qiang Zhou came to be a panda keeper, followed by an account of Qiang Qiang's arrival at CCRCGP after having both rear legs amputated at the knees. Read the rest of Part 1 here, and stop by to visit some of the pandas via HD live cam. Part 2 to follow!

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Pandas Having an Impact / by Pandas International

We recently came across this awesome article about one person's journey in learning about -- and connecting with -- pandas. It's a story of hard times, inspiration and perseverance, with thoughts we can all learn from and live by, inspired by our favorite animals.

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Happy Birthday to Tai Shan / by Pandas International

Our beloved Tai Shan celebrated his 9th birthday recently with some special friends and delicious treats. Snacks like carrots, apples, watermelon and bamboo were frozen into beautiful "cakes" for Tai Shan and his friends to enjoy. See our photo album of the big day here, and highlights of his friends at Bifengxia.

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Panda Spotlight: Yun Zi / by Pandas International

Yun Zi (simplified Chinese: 云子; traditional Chinese: 雲子), whose name means “Son of Cloud,” was born at the San Diego  Zoo on August 5, 2009.  He is the fifth cub born to mom Bai Yun and the fourth to father Gao Gao. Yun Zi has one half-sister, Hua Mei, through Bai Yun. He also has two full brothers,Mei Sheng and Xiao Liwu, and two full sisters, Su Lin and Zhen Zhen. Like his full siblings, he was conceived via natural mating.

Like most pandas, Yun Zi was not named until he was 100 days old.  His was selected from a list of over 6,300 names submitted by his fans. He received his official name on November 17, 2009 at 104 days of age.  He made his public debut on January 7, 2010, at 155 days of age. Learn more about Yun Zi and his journey back to China.

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A Visit to Dujiangyan Panda Center / by Pandas International

Jerry arrived in China last week with suitcases full of supplies for the Dujiangyan Panda Center. These included training collars for training reintroduction pandas and basic supplies like medicines. The pandas in training for reintroduction could be released as early as this fall!