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
Dognapping Is Becoming a Problem in DC. Here’s How Pet Owners Can Protect Themselves and Their Pets.
March for Our Lives Is Planning a Huge DC Protest Against Gun Violence in June
Washington DC’s 500 Most Influential People
DC Spring Animal Sightings, Ranked From Worst to Wildest
Should We Care About What’s Left of the Trucker Convoy?
Washingtonian Magazine
June 2022: 101 Reasons to Love Summer in DC
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
A Johnny Cash Statue Is Coming to the Capitol
LGBTQ Pioneer Barney Frank’s Story Is Now a Graphic Novel
Inside the Effort to Revamp the DC Archives
This DC Poet Was Once the USSR’s Biggest Kid Actor
More from News & Politics
DC Spring Animal Sightings, Ranked From Worst to Wildest
March for Our Lives Is Planning a Huge DC Protest Against Gun Violence in June
Dognapping Is Becoming a Problem in DC. Here’s How Pet Owners Can Protect Themselves and Their Pets.
Should We Care About What’s Left of the Trucker Convoy?
5 Facts About Dumfries, Virginia, the Possible New Home of the Washington Commanders
Trucker Convoy Stragglers Get Kicked Out of Racetrack, Form New Movement, Visit the National Mall, Don’t Go Home
The Trucker Convoy Has Given Up on DC Yet Again. We Tried One Last Time to Find Out What They Wanted.
Number of Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs Hits Record Low