Mei Xiang eats a bamboo branch for her breakfast, January 6, 2014 at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington - Paul J. Richards AFP

Mei Xiang, the female panda from the Washington Zoo (United States), is expected to have a new baby in the next few days. An ultrasound revealed a healthy fetus, the zoo said on Monday.

Vets saw "promising moves" during Mei Xiang's examination, the Smithsonian's National Zoo said on Twitter. “Her fetus was moving and swimming in the amniotic fluid, her spine and blood flow were visible. "

🐼🐾 Keep your paws crossed! Today, Zoo veterinarians saw exciting movements during giant panda Mei Xiang's ultrasound. Her fetus was kicking + swimming in the amniotic fluid, and its spine + blood flow were visible. We hope to have a healthy cub in the coming days! #PandaStory pic.twitter.com/kcTcHGvonI

- National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 17, 2020

Return to China in December

Mei Xiang, 22, was artificially inseminated on March 22 with frozen semen from fellow Tian Tian, ​​who will turn 23 at the end of the month. The panda enclosure is currently closed to visitors to provide Mei Xiang with the necessary calm. A "panda cam", available on the zoo's website, films her 24 hours a day.

🐼🤞 Our vets detected tissue consistent with fetal development during giant panda Mei Xiang's ultrasound today. It's too early to tell if the tissue is a viable developing fetus. 🐾 Paws crossed for a healthy cub or cubs. Watch live on the 🖥️ panda cam! https://t.co/hYJCDyVbuB

- National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 14, 2020

The pandas are a diplomatic instrument for China. Since arriving in Washington in 2000, Mei Xiang has already had three babies, who returned to China after their fourth birthday. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are due to leave next December. The agreement also provides for the payment of $ 500,000 per year from the zoo to support conservation efforts for the species, classified as "vulnerable", in China.

Less than 2,000 giant pandas still live in their natural habitat in central China. Six hundred more live in zoos and breeding centers around the world. With a genetic heritage similar to that of the bear, the panda feeds exclusively on bamboo. It weighs a hundred kilos and measures up to 1.80 m. Its particularity is to have six fingers and its name literally means "cat-bear".

Did you see ?

Canada: Shortage of fresh bamboo for two giant pandas due to coronavirus

Planet

China: Protecting pandas is not enough to protect large carnivores that share its habitat

  • Planet
  • China
  • Washington
  • Baby
  • Panda