The little panda was born as part of a conservation program for the species, he is doing well and his mother is taking care of him
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himThe Smithsonian Zoo team is celebrating the birth of a baby giant panda, an extraordinary event that was followed live by thousands of online users.
The baby was born in the late afternoon yesterday and his mother, a 22-year-old panda, is taking care of him, cradling and nursing him.
? A precious giant panda cub has arrived! We’re overjoyed to share that Mei Xiang gave birth at 6:35 p.m. and is caring for her newborn attentively. Positive mothering behaviors include nursing her cub and cuddling it close. ?? TUNE IN: https://t.co/99lBTV2w92. #PandaStory pic.twitter.com/x02fEYfAmx
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 21, 2020
At the moment the puppy and his mother, Mei Xiang, are monitored through cameras and the area is closed to the public to ensure maximum peace of mind for the two animals. Everything seems to be going well and in a few days the vets will check the health conditions and the sex of the baby.
La birth of a panda giant is a very important event as these beautiful animals, originating in central China, are included among the vulnerable species.
Around 1800 pandas live in the wild today, while another 600 are housed in conservation and breeding institutes.
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is a leader in the conservation of giant pandas and has been studying their biology, behavior and disease for fifty years, as well as raising them and making sure they reproduce to protect the species.
The little pandas born inside the Washington Zoo are in fact transferred to China in their natural habitat at the age of four, thanks to an agreement between the Smithsonian Zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation.
“Giant pandas are an international symbol of endangered wildlife and hope, and with the birth of this precious baby we are thrilled to offer the world a much-needed moment of pure joy.
Since Mei Xiang is of advanced maternal age, we knew the chances of her having a puppy were slim. However, we wanted to give her one more opportunity to help her species survive. I am incredibly proud of our team whose experience in giant panda behavior has been instrumental in this conservation success, ”a zoo statement reads.
?❤️ 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
Sources of reference: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute / IUCN
Read also:
- Pandas mate after 10 years, left alone due to the coronavirus: this is why zoos are useless (as well as sources of suffering)
- China creates a giant wildlife reserve for pandas
- Giant panda no longer threatened with extinction (but vulnerable)
