A giant panda cub was born at the Washington Zoo. Mom, Mei Xiang, 22, is doing well and is taking care of the puppy. Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated on March 22 and is the oldest panda to have given birth in the US.
???? Three cheers for giant panda Mei Xiang! She graced us with a glimpse of her wonderful, wiggly cub. It was born 6:35 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21. Watch along with us via the Panda Cam! ???? TUNE IN: https://t.co/99lBTV2w92. #PandaStory #PandaCubdates pic.twitter.com/4LJ6LKAhCO
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 22, 2020
The zoo talks about a “much needed moment of pure joy in a time of global pandemic and social unrest.” Panda lovers from all over the world were able to witness the birth from the zoo’s Panda Cam.
Less than 2,000 giant pandas still live in their natural habitat in China. Another 600 or so live in zoos and breeding centers around the world.
Genetically similar to bears, pandas feed exclusively on bamboo. They weigh around 100 kilograms and are around 180 centimeters tall.
