National Zoo’s Giant Panda Cub Dies

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo community mourns the loss of the giant panda cub born Sunday, Sept. 16. Panda keepers and volunteers heard a distress vocalization from the mother, Mei Xiang, at 9:17 a.m. and notified the veterinarian staff immediately.  The panda cam was turned off and the staff were able to safely retrieve the cub for an evaluation at 10:22 a.m.  Veterinarians immediately performed CPR and other life-saving measures but the cub did not respond.

Mei Xiang is under close observation.

Veterinarians’ first observations include  -

• The cub was in good body condition and weighed just under 100g

• No outward sign of trauma

• No outward sign of infection

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