Sunday, May 8, 2022

Jia Jia (嘉嘉 Jiā jiā) eases into her role as mum of first panda cub born here

Source Website: https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/jia-jia-eases-her-role-mum-first-panda-cub-born-here
By Jong Ching Yee, The New Paper, 08 May 2022 at 11:17 am


Jia Jia (嘉嘉 Jiā jiā) and Le Le (叻叻 Lè lè) sharing an intimate moment in the main exhibit at the River Safari
PHOTO: Jia Jia (嘉嘉 Jiā jiā) and Le Le (叻叻 Lè lè) sharing an intimate moment in the main exhibit at the River Safari.
PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP
Picture posted by Jong Ching Yee, The New Paper on 08 May 2022 at 11:17 am
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When Jia Jia became a parent on Aug 14 last year, animal care officer Trisha Tay and her team at Mandai Wildlife Group's River Wonders were certain that the giant panda would be a good mother.

Minutes after giving birth to
Le Le (叻叻 Lè lè), Jia Jia (嘉嘉 Jiā jiā) picked up her cub gently, and cradled, licked and cared for it.

Despite appearing exhausted after labour, she was attentive to her cub's cries and her maternal instincts soon kicked in.


Jia Jia enjoying bamboo shoots, which are part of her Mother's Day treat, with Le Le on her left.
PHOTO: Jia Jia enjoying bamboo shoots, which are part of her Mother's Day treat, with Le Le on her left.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Picture posted by Jong Ching Yee, The New Paper on 08 May 2022 at 11:17 am

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Ms Tay, who leads the panda team, recalled the first time both the mother and cub entered the main exhibit area of the Giant Panda Forest zone of the park on March 10.

She said: "When we first released Le Le into the exhibit area, she (Jia Jia) was following him and watching out for him. She was not concerned about eating."

Unfamiliar with the new environment, Le Le inevitably had his falls and tumbles.

Fortunately, he has a protective mother who keeps a watchful eye on him.


Jia Jia with her Mother's Day treat with Le Le on the right.
PHOTO: Jia Jia with her Mother's Day treat with Le Le on the right.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Picture posted by Jong Ching Yee, The New Paper on 08 May 2022 at 11:17 am

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Ms Tay said: "When he (Le Le) took his first tumble down the slope, he looked shocked and so, he vocalised it. Jia Jia dove straight down to rescue him and checked to make sure that he was okay."


Posted by mandaiwildlifereserve on 07 May 2022
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdPh1pJsa2C/



As a mother of two children, Ms Tay said she can relate to Jia Jia.

The 38-year-old said: "When you first take your kid to childcare and school, you are really anxious. But after a while, you learn to relax and be more comfortable. You know they need to gain independence and that is how they grow."


Jia Jia having her regular food in her enclosure after her Mother's Day treats.
PHOTO: Jia Jia having her regular food in her enclosure after her Mother's Day treats.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Picture posted by Jong Ching Yee, The New Paper on 08 May 2022 at 11:17 am

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The highly active and inquisitive Le Le has been learning from his mother essential survival skills such as climbing trees.

At the same time, the duo enjoy playing together in the exhibit area and at the back of house - areas not open to the public.


Le Le makes his official debut with his mother Jia Jia at the Giant Panda Forest exhibit on March 10, 2022.
PHOTO: Le Le makes his official debut with his mother Jia Jia at the Giant Panda Forest exhibit on March 10, 2022.
PHOTO: ST FILE
Picture posted by Jong Ching Yee, The New Paper on 08 May 2022 at 11:17 am

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7Y8HZPo7kCM7D9TjBFM_9sXq7CRU2FgMYe5UFv4sIT0E2L7yumgck7QFg-fbkes8cNIp9olu38raND4myfrJgavCcMBpvu0Faq6gy0bsCBQ-JJEShFHd9SUIvl8LmuOQwr4Gdff3TuzU7d2kVv9JE0yOhlmk3rrfW9OqyD4kmVGmQ_hKZ4ZPFoP4/s787/ads-lele-06052022_1.jpg
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Describing their interaction, Ms Tay said: "She would climb up and then as he climbs up, she would push him down. It's like a game to them. It's quite heartwarming and fun to see that playful behaviour between the two of them."

Giant panda cubs typically rely on their mothers' milk as part of their main diet until they are one year old. They stay with their mothers until they are around 18 months old.

Besides his mother's milk, Le Le is also fed fruits and pellets, and he has begun to nibble on bamboo.


Posted by mandaiwildlifereserve on 01 May 2022
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdAFEyDBtPI/



Even as Jia Jia grows accustomed to her role as a mother, she will not let her guard down.

Ms Tay said: "She is still very attentive to his cries and his needs, so she does look out for him here and there. But definitely, she is more relaxed now."


Ms Tay said:
PHOTO: Just like superstar animals, the keepers that dedicate their days caring for them are superstars too! 🤩 We’re celebrating these amazing women for Mother’s Day!
Meet Trisha, who has been taking care of the giant pandas since they arrived in 2012. She loves spending time with her fur-kids, taking time to understand them and make them feel better.
Give Trisha a wave the next time you visit the giant pandas at River Wonders! Download our checklist to learn more about our animal carer foster mums and the animals they care for – https://bit.ly/MandaiMothersDay 💖
Picture posted by mandaiwildlifereserve on 08 May 2022

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We’re celebrating these amazing women, Jia Jia (嘉嘉 Jiā jiā) for Mother’s Day!
By Jong Ching Yee, The New Paper, 08 May 2022 at 11:17 am
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More from Jia Jia (嘉嘉 Jiā jiā), Kai Kai (凯凯 Kǎi kǎi), and Le Le (叻叻 Lè lè)

Singapore-born panda cub Le Le (叻叻 Lè lè) climbs trees, netizens gush, posted on Thursday, 14 April 2022
Singapore-born panda cub Le Le (叻叻 Lè lè) climbs trees, netizens gush, posted on Thursday, 14 April 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/04/singapore-born-panda-cub-le-le-le-le.html


S'pore's first panda cub Le Le (叻叻 Lè lè) joins mum at Giant Panda Forest exhibit, posted on Thursday, 10 March 2022
S'pore's first panda cub Le Le (叻叻 Lè lè) joins mum at Giant Panda Forest exhibit, posted on Thursday, 10 March 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/03/spores-first-panda-cub-le-le-le-le.html


See the cutest bundle of fur in Singapore, posted on Sunday, 30 January 2022
See the cutest bundle of fur in Singapore, posted on Sunday, 30 January 2022
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2022/01/see-cutest-bundle-of-fur-in-singapore.html


First panda cub born in Singapore can now be seen twice daily, posted on Thursday, 30 December 2021
First panda cub born in Singapore can now be seen twice daily, posted on Thursday, 30 December 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/12/first-panda-cub-born-in-singapore-can.html



Le Le (叻叻 Lè lè): Singapore-born panda cub's name revealed, posted on Thursday, 30 December 2021Le Le (叻叻 Lè lè): Singapore-born panda cub's name revealed, posted on Thursday, 30 December 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/12/le-le-le-le-singapore-born-panda-cubs.html


Being mum to Kai Kai, Jia Jia helps keeper on own parenting journey, posted on Sunday, 19 December 2021
Being mum to Kai Kai, Jia Jia helps keeper on own parenting journey, posted on Sunday, 19 December 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/12/being-mum-to-kai-kai-jia-jia-helps.html


Giant panda cub turns 100 days old, expected to join public exhibit soon, posted on Saturday, 20 November 2021
Giant panda cub turns 100 days old, expected to join public exhibit soon, posted on Saturday, 20 November 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/11/giant-panda-cub-turns-100-days-old.html


The baby and its mother, Jia Jia, are in an off-exhibit den to give them time to nurse and bond.
Singapore gets first panda cub, born to Kai Kai and Jia Jia at River Safari, posted on Monday, 16 August  2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/08/singapore-gets-first-panda-cub-born-to.html


Pandas making babies - that's the 'KPI', posted on Friday, 07 September 2012
Pandas making babies - that's the 'KPI', posted on Friday, 07 September 2012
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2012/09/pandas-making-babies-thats-kpi.html


Sleeping beauty and the bamboo warrior, posted on Sunday, 29 May 2011
Sleeping beauty and the bamboo warrior, posted on Sunday, 29 May 2011
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2011/05/sleeping-beauty-and-bamboo-warrior.html






Reference
[1] Jong Ching Yee, The New Paper, Jia Jia eases into her role as mum of first panda cub born here, posted on 08 May 2022 at 11:17 am, https://tnp.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/jia-jia-eases-her-role-mum-first-panda-cub-born-here


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