Giant panda Update Aug 15, 2013

The panda team at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat has officially started #cubwatch—which is normal for this point in the breeding season. Volunteer behavior watchers have been monitoring Mei Xiang via the panda cams 24-hours-a-day since August 7. Keepers say that Mei's behavior is still very lethargic. She is spending more time in her den, sleeping and shredding bamboo for her nest, and eating less. She has also occasionally been cradling and grooming her kong toy and boomer ball while in her den. Our veterinarians are still attempting daily ultrasounds when Mei is out of her den, but she has been choosing not to participate. All of these behavioral changes are consistent with a pseudopregnancy or pregnancy, and are behaviors that we have seen every year during this time.

On the other side of the Panda Habitat, Tian Tian has been enjoying the mild weather. Since Mei has not shown any interest in going outside, keepers have been letting Tian explore his yard and her yard.