Not to get your hopes up prematurely, but the National Zoo just issued a statement saying that its female giant panda Mei Xiang—mother of much-loved Tai Shan, who’s now living in China—is showing signs that she might be pregnant. The 12-year-old panda was artificially inseminated on January 29 and 30, and since then zoo scientists have been closely monitoring her pregnancy-hormone levels. The latest spike is Mei Xiang’s second progesterone rise, meaning another tiny Butterstick could arrive in 40 to 50 days—or, you know, not.
The tricky thing with giant pandas is that they can show signs of being pregnant even when they’re not. It’s called pseudo-pregnancy, and pandas can look and act pregnant without ever actually having conceived. That’s why every year around this time, Washingtonians wait with bated breath to see if another baby panda is in the works. Unfortunately in recent years, the odds have been against us.
Zoo scientists are conducting weekly hormone analyses on Mei Xiang’s urine samples, according to the statement. They’re also doing ultrasounds to look for a fetus. So far, none has been detected, though it might still be too early: Panda fetuses don’t develop until the final weeks of gestation.
>> Want to learn more about baby animals and breeding programs at the zoo? Read all about it here. And for a healthy dose of Tai Shan nostalgia, head to our retrospective picture gallery.
Panda Pregnancy Watch at the National Zoo
Mei Xiang might be pregnant. But odds are she’s just messing with us. Again.
Not to get your hopes up prematurely, but the National Zoo just issued a statement saying that its female giant panda Mei Xiang—mother of much-loved Tai Shan, who’s now living in China—is showing signs that she might be pregnant. The 12-year-old panda was artificially inseminated on January 29 and 30, and since then zoo scientists have been closely monitoring her pregnancy-hormone levels. The latest spike is Mei Xiang’s second progesterone rise, meaning another tiny Butterstick could arrive in 40 to 50 days—or, you know, not.
The tricky thing with giant pandas is that they can show signs of being pregnant even when they’re not. It’s called pseudo-pregnancy, and pandas can look and act pregnant without ever actually having conceived. That’s why every year around this time, Washingtonians wait with bated breath to see if another baby panda is in the works. Unfortunately in recent years, the odds have been against us.
Zoo scientists are conducting weekly hormone analyses on Mei Xiang’s urine samples, according to the statement. They’re also doing ultrasounds to look for a fetus. So far, none has been detected, though it might still be too early: Panda fetuses don’t develop until the final weeks of gestation.
>> Want to learn more about baby animals and breeding programs at the zoo? Read all about it here. And for a healthy dose of Tai Shan nostalgia, head to our retrospective picture gallery.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
Most Popular in News & Politics
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
What to Know About the Dupont Circle “Deckover” Project
Bans on Underage Vaping, Swastika Graffiti, Synthetic Dyes: New Virginia Laws Go Into Effect in July
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
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
For DNC Chair Ken Martin, the Big Beautiful Bill Is Personal
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.