Squeaky and Tai Shan

Hippo's friend Squeaky also wanted to see Tai Shan before he left America.

It was a nice snowy day to enjoy Winter at the National Zoo.

Even big kitties, which normally are not fond of water, seemed to enjoy a bit of snow on the snout.

Squeaky checked on the progress of the elephant walk construction. Elephant-sized path: check. Big bath tub: check. Elephants: elephants? Where are they?

Humans outnumber the critters at the zoo today. Maybe the elephants are hiding. Or helping to plow the parking lots to make room for all the visitors.

She sees him! She seems him! Tai Shan!

Snow makes pandas hungry.

Eating can get tiring.

Time for a snooze in the snow.

And time for lunch. An apple sandwich and bamboo fries, please!

Goodbye, Tai Shan!

It's a sad day for Washington, D.C., and the National Zoo. Our own baby panda, Tai Shan, has grown to a rambunctious 4-year-old and it's time for him to travel to China to start meeting all the panda ladies.

The crowds were thick, so Hippo observed from the balcony.

Tai Shan, like any little boy, doesn't seem too concerned with the commotion. He's most interested in his fruit pop.

Mom munched on her own snack next door. Is she going to miss Tai Shan? Or is she dreaming of a new baby panda joining the family?

Daddy is very relaxed, enjoying a quiet nap on his heated rock.

Bon Voyage, Panda Boy!

My pal Tai Shan, the National Zoo's "baby" panda, has his bags packed to leave on February 4 and is all ready to meet his new friends in China. Here he is-mid-snooze-practicing for the time difference.

I guess he didn't want to pay extra for his bags and have his bamboo snacks confiscated at security, because he's traveling on FedEx! First class on FedEx probably means he will have more leg room, and won't have to put up with anyone kicking the back of his seat or reclining their seat into his lap.

The Early Hippo Gets the Doughnut

I'm not a morning person kind of hippo, but this weekend I just had to get up early to go to Cockadoodle Zoo. It's a special event at the National Zoo where visitors can see how the animals get ready for work in the morning. I wanted to see what they ate for breakfast, how big a toothbrush they needed, and what they looked like before they put their fur coats on.

I was so excited, I had trouble falling asleep. So I stayed up late playing games with my friends.


Eventually, we did manage to fall asleep.


But as soon as the sun came up I changed into a warm sweater and headed out the door. Here I am with my ticket to get in. HURRY UP!!!! I CAN'T WAIT!


It was a rather rainy day, but I still saw some really cool things – like the baby gorilla swinging in a hammock, the lions and tigers private quarters, and flamingos at feeding time (they get very noisy when they're hungry!).


I also saw a breakfast delivery for the pandas: fresh, crunchy bamboo!


My friends the hippos got a fresh polish and the elephants did their morning exercises. I worked up an appetite watching all the animals eating breakfast, so I was quite relieved when we got to my favorite part of the morning: a free doughnut and coffee.