Giant Pandas at the National Zoo

[Carol P.]

Glad she arrived safely. 

[Kris G.]

Update on Bao Bao!


https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/news/bao-bao-settling-her-new-home?utm_source=Giant+Panda+Bulletin+March+9%2C+2017+&utm_campaign=Giant+Panda+Update%3A+March+9%2C+2017&utm_medium=email

[Kris G.]

With her quarantine period being over, Bao Bao made her debut in China last night and her area is next to her brother's enclosure!

http://youtu.be/YR5sgUVOC-0

[Kris G.]

Mei Xiang has been artificially inseminated after she and Tian Tian failed to mate..hopefully another Panda baby in the future!

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/smithsonians-national-zoo-and-conservation-biology-institute-scientists-artificially-inseminate

[Kris G.]

MeiXiang will not give birth this year. The giant panda team has been monitoring her hormones and behavior very closely during the past several weeks. Her hormones returned to baseline levels today, but she did not give birth, indicating that she was either experiencing a pseudopregnancy or did conceive but resorbed the embryo. #PandaStory http://s.si.edu/2eXRpvL

[carly]

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute


A team of our reproductive scientists, veterinarians and panda keepers performed an artificial insemination on giant panda Mei Xiang today, March. 1. Scientists and keepers had been closely monitoring Mei Xiang’s behavior and hormones since she began displaying behavioral changes Feb. 17, indicating she was almost ready to breed. Daily hormone reports showed Mei Xiang’s estrogen levels peaked Feb. 28, which means she was ovulating and able to become pregnant. Female giant pandas are only in estrus or able to become pregnant, for 24 to 72 hours each year. Paws-crossed!

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/giant-panda-mei-xiang-artificially-inseminated-smithsonians-national-zoo

[Kris G.]

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute


A team of our reproductive scientists, veterinarians and panda keepers performed an artificial insemination on giant panda Mei Xiang today, March. 1. Scientists and keepers had been closely monitoring Mei Xiang’s behavior and hormones since she began displaying behavioral changes Feb. 17, indicating she was almost ready to breed. Daily hormone reports showed Mei Xiang’s estrogen levels peaked Feb. 28, which means she was ovulating and able to become pregnant. Female giant pandas are only in estrus or able to become pregnant, for 24 to 72 hours each year. Paws-crossed!

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/news/giant-panda-mei-xiang-artificially-inseminated-smithsonians-national-zoo

I had read that she was exhibiting estrus behavior recently..hopefully it takes this time! Thanks for posting! 

[Kris G.]

Insemination video of Mei Xiang today

http://youtu.be/99OSjc6HYqE

http://youtu.be/3uOihvzUP3k

[Tapper Gal]

I am hoping for the best and will be watching.   

[carly]

Oh boy...just got this in my email!!!  Don't want to get too excited but this would be amazing if it happens!

Veterinarians Detect Fetal Tissue
on Mei Xiang's Ultrasound


Veterinarians at the Smithsonian?s National Zoo detected tissue consistent with fetal development during giant panda Mei Xiang?s (may-SHONG) ultrasound this morning, Aug. 14. It is too early to determine if the tissue is a completely viable developing fetus as there is the potential that the fetus could be resorbed. If the fetal tissue continues to develop, veterinarians estimate that Mei Xiang could give birth within the next few days. Veterinarians first detected fetal tissue last week, and they have since noted developing skeletal structure and strong blood flow within Mei Xiang?s uterus. If the fetal tissue resorbs, her hormones will return to baseline levels and her behavior will return to normal.

There is a substantial possibility that Mei Xiang could resorb or miscarry a fetus. Scientists do not fully understand why some mammals resorb fetuses.

[carly]

We have a cub!!!

"Joyous news: a precious giant panda cub has arrived! Mei Xiang gave birth at 6:35 p.m. and is caring for her newborn attentively. Keepers are watching Mei Xiang?s behavior and hope to see her nurse the cub and cradle it close to keep him/her warm. They?re also listening for loud squeals, which are signs of a healthy cub."

[Dumpsterkitty]

We have a cub!!!

"Joyous news: a precious giant panda cub has arrived! Mei Xiang gave birth at 6:35 p.m. and is caring for her newborn attentively. Keepers are watching Mei Xiang?s behavior and hope to see her nurse the cub and cradle it close to keep him/her warm. They?re also listening for loud squeals, which are signs of a healthy cub."

I am SOOOO thrilled Mei Xiang was able to carry and deliver a cub! So many disappointments these past few years. I'm pretty sure they will have to extend her lease...hopefully Tian Tian too!