Smithsonian National Zoo’s giant panda Mei Xiang could give birth in days

Veterinarians at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo announced this week that its giant panda, Mei Xiang, appears to be pregnant.

The zoo said in a Friday statement that veterinarians “detected tissue consistent with fetal development” during an ultrasound on the panda. They said it is too early to say for sure if the tissue if a “completely viable developing fetus.”

However, if the tissue continues to develop, the nation’s capital could be welcoming a baby panda as soon as the next few days, according to the zoo.  

“In the middle of a pandemic, this is a joyful moment we can all get excited about,” said Don Neiffer, chief veterinarian at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo said in the Friday statement. “We are optimistic that very shortly she may give birth to a healthy cub or cubs.” 

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 zoo warned that “there is a substantial possibility that Mei Ziang could resorb or miscarry a fetus.” Veterinarians and the giant panda team at the zoo are conducting regular ultrasounds and monitoring Mei Xiang.

Reproduction scientists and zoo veterinarians performed an artificial insemination on the panda in March with frozen semen collected from one of the zoo’s other pandas, Tian Tian. 

She has given birth to three surviving cubs so far, including Tai Shan, Bao Bao and Bei Bei. All of the cubs were moved to China when they were four years old as part of the zoo’s cooperative agreement with the china Wildlife Conservation Association. 

Giant pandas have a short window for breeding, with females only able to become pregnant for 24 to 72 hours a year, CNN reported.