National Zoo: Giant panda is in labor

[MiniMe]

WASHINGTON — Mei Xiang, the giant female panda at the National Zoo, appears to be in labor, the Smithsonian announced Saturday.

Zookeepers said that Mei Xiang is being monitored and officials are hoping for a healthy cub. It could take several hours or longer for her to give birth.

The zoo’s panda cam was briefly offline for routine maintenance, but was up and running shortly after the announcement was made.

Veterinarians detected a fetus during an ultrasound Wednesday morning.

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more at the link

http://wtop.com/dc/2015/08/national-zoo-giant-panda-is-in-labor/

[MiniMe]

1. Panda Cam for those who are interested

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/webcams/giant-panda.cfm

[shenmue]

2. Puuuush!

[libdem4life]

4. Oh, that's good. LOL

[libdem4life]

3. Good news...something everyone can be happy about, assuming it

is a little furry creature, as expected.

[Warpy]

5. If it survives the first 3 months, it will be

Newborn pandas are pink, hairless, blind and deaf, something only their mothers could love.

[libdem4life]

6. Now wait just a minute...LOL...I guess you've never raised rats.

My son talked me into getting two rats...not just one because it would be lonely. So at the pet store I specifically requested 2 females or two males.

Some short time later he called me to come and help...he thought one was hurting the other. Pet shop goofed. Instant sex education...he was only 6 or 7.

They looked exactly like you described but about the size of a peanut. And, hey, we loved them. Oh yeah, and got rid of them/gave them away as soon as possible. I could see the future...multiple rat cages. They are no fun to clean out, either.

Oh well, thanks for the memory.

[Warpy]

8. A cat appointed me kitty midwife when I was four

Her kittens survived so I guess I was OK at it and they were cute as soon as she licked the slime off them.

However, a lot of critters produce some pretty ugly, undeveloped young. Pandas are one. Kangaroos are another. I guess pet rats are another.

[libdem4life]

9. Kitty Midwife...oooow at 4. I only saw that once as an adult and it is a bit

off-putting. I've seen some human babies that took a while to be "cute", too.

[central scrutinizer]

7. Paging Scott Walker

All labor should be privatized

[okasha]

10. Good one!

[0rganism]

11. uh oh here comes another anchor baby!

[Boudica the Lyoness]

12. Ron Burgundy needs to know this! n/t

[sunnystarr]

13. National Zoo: Giant panda gives birth

Mei Xiang’s water broke at around 4:30 p.m. The panda cub was born 5:34 p.m.

The whole thing was captured on the zoo’s panda cam, which experienced intermittent crashes due to a surge in traffic.

Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated back in April and, recently, had been spending more time in her den, body licking and sleeping in more, and cradling toys — all behaviors consistent with a pregnancy.

Veterinarians detected a fetus during an ultrasound Wednesday morning.

Mei Xiang has two living cubs: Tai Shan, who now lives in China, and Bao Bao, who turns 2 on Sunday.

http://wtop.com/dc/2015/08/national-zoo-giant-panda-is-in-labor/

[Glimmer of Hope]

14. Yay!

[okasha]

15. Congratulations, Mama!

[UTUSN]

16. The walrus jury has the DNA results: