Some netizens said Mei Xiang and Tian Tian should be returned to China noting their age. Other netizens said the zoo should be trusted as it has taken care of the pandas for 20 years. Some netizens even called on China to not renew the zoo's contract which comes due on December 7. Mei Xiang has given birth to seven cubs and three have survived to adulthood.Īs of Saturday, Mei Xiang-related topics on Weibo had been viewed more than 400 million times. The zoo's contract with its partners in China has been twice extended, in 20. Mei Xiang, 22, and Tian Tian 23, have lived at the Smithsonian's National Zoo since 2000. The pandas' normal diet consists of 60 and 100 pounds of yellow groove bamboo and arrow bamboo every day. The zoo noted that Mei Xiang eats more than 60 pounds (35 kg) of bamboo every day. Overall, the zoo said it does not have concerns about Mei Xiang's health. Mei Xiang does have arthritis, but animal care staff have ways of controlling to Mei Xiang's condition and easing her discomfort. The zoo said that they often give Mei Xiang a treat of frozen apple juice and the video, curators observed "some leg twitching and scratching, but no 'convulsions' as alleged and both of these behaviors are normal and do not warrant concern." In response to the controversy, the Smithsonian's National Zoo replied via e-mail to the Global Times on Thursday saying video from its "Giant Panda Cam" has been reviewed and allegations of "convulsions" had been "unsubstantiated." None of the accusations appear to have inside knowledge of the zoo. Some netizens also claimed that the zoo is not giving Mei Xiang enough food and Mei Xiang is suffering from starvation. Topics related Mei Xiang include "save Mei Xiang," and accusations that the "Washington zoo is not taking good care for Mei Xiang" were hot topics on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo last week after some netizens posted videos, which they claim were shot on October 19 and show Mei Xiang suffering stomach aches and convulsions after eating ice. The Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington said Mei Xiang and her cub are healthy and denied that the giant panda had "convulsions" after eating an icy treat, as alleged by some Chinese netizens, which caused the fur to fly on Chinese social media. NW, Washington, DCįor more regional news, subscribe to our newsletters.Giant panda Mei Xiang eats treats in the giant panda house at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the United States, on Feb 23, 2019.Photo:Xinhua The giant panda house at the zoo is still closed to the public, but visitors can reserve a ticket to visit the outdoor upper overlook in the giant panda exhibit and other open areas of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. If you’re looking to catch a glimpse of the mom and her new cub, the National Zoo offers a panda cam of both Mei Xiang and male panda Tian Tian. All three of her previous cubs are back in China as part of the zoo’s cooperative breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. Mei Xiang has given birth to three other surviving cubs, including Tai Shan, Bao Bao and Bei Bei. With the birth of this cub, Mei Xiang became the oldest giant panda in the United States and the second oldest documented in the world to give birth. I am incredibly proud of our animal care and science teams, whose expertise in giant panda behavior was critical to this conservation success.”Īlong with Mei Xiang’s age, giant pandas usually have a difficult time becoming pregnant, as they only ovulate for 24 to 72 hours per year. However, we wanted to give her one more opportunity to contribute to her species’ survival. “Because Mei Xiang is of advanced maternal age, we knew the chances of her having a cub were slim. “Giant pandas are an international symbol of endangered wildlife and hope, and with the birth of this precious cub we are thrilled to offer the world a much-needed moment of pure joy,” said Steve Monfort, John and Adrienne Mars director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, in a recent press release. The zoo said the sex of the cub will be determined at a later date. The animal care staff at the zoo has been monitoring 22-year-old giant panda Mei Xiang and her cub via the zoo’s panda cams and will perform an exam on the cub once they are able to retrieve it from the mother. After five years without a giant panda cub birth in the region, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo welcomed a new cub this weekend with Mei Xiang giving birth on the night of Aug.
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