Mei Xiang, the female panda at the Washington Zoo, gave birth to a new baby on August 22, 2020. - CHINA NEWS / SIPA

Mei Xiang, the giant panda female from the Washington Zoo gave birth to a baby on Friday. "We are delighted to announce that Mei Xiang has given birth and is taking care of her newborn baby with care," tweeted the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

The mother breastfeeds her little one and gives him "hugs", according to the animal park. Fans of the animal were able to follow her birth live thanks to a "panda cam," accessible on the zoo's website, which had been filming her 24 hours a day since the announcement of her pregnancy.

❤️🐼 Keepers report that giant panda Mei Xiang and her newborn had a successful first night. Between bouts of good rest, Mei Xiang appeared to nurse her cub and was very attentive to its vocalizations. 👀🎥 TUNE IN: https://t.co/99lBTV2w92. #PandaStory #PandaCubdates pic.twitter.com/QCd2IYv5w4

- National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 22, 2020

Return to China in December for both parents

Mei Xiang, 22, was artificially inseminated on March 22 with frozen semen from male Tian Tian, ​​23, also a resident of the zoo. Since their arrival in 2000, Mei Xiang has already had three babies. They all returned to China on their fourth birthday, under the terms of the animal partnership agreement. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are also due to return to China next December.

🐼❤️ Our panda team is happy with the behaviors they observe of Mei Xiang and her cub. As expected, Mei Xiang is being an excellent and attentive mother! ✏️UPDATE: https://t.co/jLlvhBlPAp. Thank you for your well wishes + support! #PandaStory #PandaCubdates pic.twitter.com/jtBp9eg4P9

- National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 23, 2020

The US-Chinese agreement also provides for the payment of $ 500,000 per year from the National Zoo to support conservation efforts in China of this "vulnerable" species. 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.

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