The National Zoo’s female giant panda Mei Xiang gave birth to a cub Friday evening, the zoo announced. The birth happened at 5:32 p.m., about 90 minutes after Mei Xiang’s water broke and she began experiencing contractions.
The cub is Mei Xiang’s third. She previously gave birth in 2005 to Tai Shan, also affectionately known as “Butterstick,” and a cub last year that died after six days.
National Zoo staff injected Mei Xiang earlier this year with samples from her male companion Tian Tian, with whom she has a poor sexual history, and Gao Gao, a panda at the San Diego Zoo that has sired several cubs.
Mei Xiang and her new cub are already bonding, according to a zoo press release. “The panda team heard the cub vocalize and glimpsed the cub for the first time briefly immediately after the birth,” the press release reads. “Mei Xiang picked the cub up immediately and began cradling and caring for it.”
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
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.
National Zoo’s Giant Panda Gives Birth to Cub
Prepare to flip out over the National Zoo's latest addition.
The National Zoo’s female giant panda Mei Xiang gave birth to a cub Friday evening, the zoo announced. The birth happened at 5:32 p.m., about 90 minutes after Mei Xiang’s water broke and she began experiencing contractions.
The cub is Mei Xiang’s third. She previously gave birth in 2005 to Tai Shan, also affectionately known as “Butterstick,” and a cub last year that died after six days.
National Zoo staff injected Mei Xiang earlier this year with samples from her male companion Tian Tian, with whom she has a poor sexual history, and Gao Gao, a panda at the San Diego Zoo that has sired several cubs.
Mei Xiang and her new cub are already bonding, according to a zoo press release. “The panda team heard the cub vocalize and glimpsed the cub for the first time briefly immediately after the birth,” the press release reads. “Mei Xiang picked the cub up immediately and began cradling and caring for it.”
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
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
Cicadas Are the Next Plague That Will Keep You Indoors
Check Out NBC’s Lavish New DC News Bureau
Capitol Riot Suspect Arrested in DC Airport After Bizarre Series of Events
Here’s Why the Washington Monument’s Lights Went Out Sunday Night
Jeni Stepanek’s Last Heartsong
Washingtonian Magazine
January 2021: Joe Town!
View IssueSubscribe
Get Us on Social
Get Us on Social
Related
Video From Fall Real Estate Market Update With Local Leaders
Washingtonian Real Estate Virtual Happy Hour
Videos from Washingtonian’s Wellness Day
Washingtonian Wellness Day
More from News & Politics
Here’s Why the Washington Monument’s Lights Went Out Sunday Night
If Joe Biden Wants to Unify the Nation, Why Did He Get a Toasted Bagel?
Cicadas Are the Next Plague That Will Keep You Indoors
They’re Here: First Pups Major and Champ Biden Have Moved Into the White House
Check Out NBC’s Lavish New DC News Bureau
DC’s International Spy Museum Will Reopen This Weekend
Capitol Riot Suspect Arrested in DC Airport After Bizarre Series of Events
WAMU Dismisses Two People as Result of Investigation Into Workplace Culture