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Bao Bao’s First Year in Washington

Written by Washingtonian Staff | Published on August 15, 2014
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Baby Bao Bao's First Medical Exam
Baby Bao Bao’s First Medical Exam

The Smithsonian National Zoo’s veterinarians examined Bao Bao a few days after birth. The Zoo reported the cub weighing about 4.8 ounces and gave the newborn a clean bill of health. Photograph by Courtney Janney | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

The "PandaCam"
The “PandaCam”

The National Zoo’s animal caretakers closely monitored Bao Bao and her mother, Mei Xiang. The zoo’s PandaCam allowed viewers to watch the cub and her mother interact while the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat remained closed. Photograph by Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Full Exam No. 1
Full Exam No. 1

When Mei Xiang took a break from attending to Bao Bao, the National Zoo’s veterinarians took the chance to scoop up the cub and give her a full veterinary exam. The team reported that Bao Bao’s weight doubled since her first check up and her baby panda fuzz was filling in. Photograph by Courtney Janney | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Full Exam No. 2
Full Exam No. 2

Bao Bao went in for her second full veterinary exam toward the end of September 2013. At this point, the cub’s eyes were still closed. Photograph by Abby Wood | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Sweet, Sweet Freedom
Sweet, Sweet Freedom

Just a little over a week later, Mei Xiang began to leave the cub alone for longer periods of time, giving Bao Bao the freedom to scoot and roll around in the panda habitat. Photograph by Courtney Janney | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Lean, Green Growing Machine
Lean, Green Growing Machine

By November 2013, Bao Bao continued to grow (quickly!) and weighed in well over five pounds. Photograph by Abby Wood | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

A Precious Treasure
A Precious Treasure

On December 1, 2013, Bao Bao was officially given her name. The public voted for the cub’s name during November and chose from five Mandarin Chinese names. Bao Bao means “precious” or “treasure.” Photograph by Abby Wood | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Good Eats
Good Eats

Mei Xiang watches Bao Bao nibble on some delicious bamboo. Photograph by Abby Wood | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Bao Bao's First Snow Day
Bao Bao’s First Snow Day

National Zoo keepers decided to introduce the panda cub to snow. On the National Zoo’s Flickr page, they reported that Bao Bao’s reaction to snow was “lukewarm.” Photograph by Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Bao Bao Strikes a Pose
Bao Bao Strikes a Pose

On January 6, 2014, Bao Bao made her first media appearance. Later in January, National Zoo visitors were able to visit Bao Bao and Mei Xiang in their habitat. Photograph by Abby Wood | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Bao Bao's New Toy
Bao Bao’s New Toy

Good thing Bao Bao found a new toy to chew on as her sharp panda teeth came in. Photograph by Connor Mallon | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

A Breath of Fresh Air
A Breath of Fresh Air

Toward the final days of March, Bao Bao could finally go outside. Photograph by Abby Wood | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

A Breath of Fresh Air
A Breath of Fresh Air

Bao Bao’s first few days outside consisted of exploration and games of hide-and-seek. Photograph by Abby Wood | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

A Breath of Fresh Air
A Breath of Fresh Air

Bao Bao also became an avid tree-climber. Photograph by Abby Wood | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

A Breath of Fresh Air
A Breath of Fresh Air

And the panda cub also became a master rock-climber. Photograph by Abby Wood | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Like Mother, Like Daughter
Like Mother, Like Daughter

Bao Bao spending some quality time with Mama Bear. Photograph by Abby Wood | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

The Panda Life is the Good Life
The Panda Life is the Good Life

Lately Bao Bao’s been hanging around, enjoying Washington’s unseasonably lovely weather and snacking the day away. Maybe a panda-friendly birthday cake is her near future? Photograph by Abby Wood | Smithsonian’s National Zoo

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