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The National Zoo’s newborn giant panda cub is just a five-ounce ball of flesh right now, but here’s what to expect during its life. Photograph by National Zoo
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Here is the National Zoo’s previous surviving panda cub, Tai Shan, being poked and prodded by veterinarians and researchers. Photograph by National Zoo
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Tai Shan posed for a lot of photos. Photograph by National Zoo
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He also received birthday cake. Photograph by National Zoo
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And rolled around in the snow-capped panda exhibit with his mother, Mei Xiang. Photograph by National Zoo
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Tai Shan’s time at the National Zoo was also a constant surveillance state. Photograph by National Zoo
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But there was another birthday cake. Photograph by National Zoo
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Even more birthday cake. Photograph by National Zoo
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In 2010, he was hauled off to China in a FedEx crate. Photograph by National Zoo
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The following year, Carlyle Group co-founder David M. Rubenstein pledged $4.5 million to fund efforts to get the pandas to reproduce again. Photograph by National Zoo