Pregnant Panda? National Zoo Giving Mei Xiang Privacy

A new panda cub is coming to the Smithsonian National Zoo... maybe.

Scientists with the Smithsonian said giant panda Mei Xiang has shown continued signs of either the end of a pregnancy or a pseudopregnancy, with a conclusion one way or the other expected in the next 30-50 days, the National Zoo reported Tuesday.

As a result, the zoo has closed the area of its David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat closest to Mei Xiang’s den to give her as much peace and quiet as possible; the zoo reported she has shown a greater sensitivity to noise in recent days, as well as other signs of the late stages pregnancy, including developing a nest, spending more time in her den, sleeping more and eating less.

Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated in late April, and scientists have tracked her hormone levels ever since. Veterinarians have monitored her reproductive tract for signs of a fetus, but the only definitive way to determine if a panda is pregnant is through an ultrasound, with which Mei Xiang is often uncooperative.

The National Zoo is keeping Mei Xiang’s fans in the loop with its panda cams as well as the hashtag #PandaStory on Instagram.

The National Zoo’s other pandas — Tian Tian and Bao Bao — will still be around to visit with zoo guests, as will Mei Xiang when she exits her den and comes to the outdoor portion of the habitat. Bao Bao is one of two surviving cubs to whom Mei Xiang has already given birth in her lifetime. The other is Tai Shan, who now lives in China.

Image credit: Smithsonian National Zoo (via Flickr)