Panda Cub Spends Night in Tree After Touching Hot Wire at National Zoo

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The youngest giant panda at the Smithsonian National Zoo decided to spend Tuesday night outside after touching hot wire that afternoon. Bao Bao retreated up a tree after the incident to feel safe.

Bao Bao chose to stay in the tree and the mother panda, Mei, was allowed outside yard access where she stayed with her cub. A zookeeper stayed in the panda house overnight in case the giant pandas decided to come in, however, they did not.

The cub is “perfectly fine” and learning the zoo’s boundaries, read a statement on the National Zoo’s Facebook. Both pandas showed predictable behaviors given the situation.

“The staff are adjusting the pandas’ routine today and are confident that Bao Bao will come down when she is ready,” the statement said.

The National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, is home to three giant pandas that weigh around 250 pounds each.

For more information visit the National Zoo’s website.

Photo Credit: Abby Wood, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

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