Surviving Panda Cub 'Thriving,' National Zoo Says

The National Zoo’s Giant Panda Mei Xiang left her den for a few minutes Wednesday afternoon giving National Zoo veterinarians an opportunity to do a quick cub health check to ensure that he is growing and healthy.

Mei Xiang gave birth to Panda twins Aug. 22; one died but the surviving twin is thriving, Zoo officials say.

On Wednesday, they listened to his heart and lungs, palpated his abdomen and checked that he was able to move his forelimbs and hind limbs, according to a Facebook post on the Zoo’s page. He is moving well and had a full belly, they noted.

He now weighs in at 287.5 grams (about 10 ounces), according to the Zoo. His eyes are still closed and his black markings are becoming more pronounced.

PHOTO is a screen grab from the National Zoo’s video.‬