With its resident female giant panda Mei Xiang giving birth to a pair of cubs last weekend, the National Zoo’s spirits are at peak levels. Though the second cub was stillborn, the first cub, born Friday afternoon about 90 minutes after Mei Xiang went into labor, is in fine health for a three-day-old bear.
There is still much to be learned about the new baby panda, including its gender and its biological father, but for the time being, all seems to be well with the cub. And while the cub currently looks like more of an amorphous blob of pink flesh than it does a cute, duochromatic bear, we can guess what its life might be like through archival photos of the National Zoo’s last surviving panda cub, Tai Shan.
Born in 2005, Tai Shan—or “Butterstick,” as he was affectionately known—lived the first five years of his life at the National Zoo before getting shipped off to a panda research facility in China. Here’s a look back of how it all played out.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
The Life of a National Zoo Giant Panda Cub, in Pictures
Poking and prodding, birthday cakes, and possibly a long voyage are in store for the zoo's newest arrival.
With its resident female giant panda Mei Xiang giving birth to a pair of cubs last weekend, the National Zoo’s spirits are at peak levels. Though the second cub was stillborn, the first cub, born Friday afternoon about 90 minutes after Mei Xiang went into labor, is in fine health for a three-day-old bear.
There is still much to be learned about the new baby panda, including its gender and its biological father, but for the time being, all seems to be well with the cub. And while the cub currently looks like more of an amorphous blob of pink flesh than it does a cute, duochromatic bear, we can guess what its life might be like through archival photos of the National Zoo’s last surviving panda cub, Tai Shan.
Born in 2005, Tai Shan—or “Butterstick,” as he was affectionately known—lived the first five years of his life at the National Zoo before getting shipped off to a panda research facility in China. Here’s a look back of how it all played out.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
A Cult Classic of Cannabis Brands Is Making Its DC Debut
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
Speaker Johnson’s Megabill Prayers Likely to Be Answered Before Holiday Weekend, Wrongly Deported Maryland Man Faced Abuse in El Salvador Prison, and We Found Some Yummy Nepalese Food
Pardoned J6er Will Join Ed Martin’s Justice Department Office, Trump Outlines Hypothetical Alligator Escape Plan, and We Have Fireworks Show Recommendations
The “World’s Largest Outdoor Museum” Is Coming to DC. Here’s a Preview.
A Cult Classic of Cannabis Brands Is Making Its DC Debut
The Commanders Wine and Dine DC Council Members; GOP Senator Suggests Tax Language Was “Airdropped” Into Spending Bill; and Trump Wants DOGE to Investigate Musk
100 Reasons to Love DC Right Now
How DC’s Attorney General Got So Good at Double Dutch
DC Council Ponders New Way to Expel Trayon White, the GOP’s Budget Bill Advances, and We Found You Some Tacos With Ethiopian Flair