A Moment Of 'Pure Joy': National Zoo's Giant Panda Gives Birth

WASHINGTON, DC — The Smithsonian National Zoo spent most of this past week on baby watch after announcing on Monday that Mei Xiang, its matriarch giant panda, was due to give birth to her fourth cub.

By Friday night, Mei Xiang's bundle of joy made its big debut.

Mei Xiang gave birth at 6:35 p.m. and is "caring for her newborn attentively," the zoo announced. Keepers are now watching Mei Xiang's behavior to see her nurse the cub and cradle it close to keep it warm. They're also listening for loud squeals — signs of a healthy cub, the zoo said.

You can keep an eye on Mei Xiang and her new arrival through the zoo's giant panda-cam.

“Giant pandas are an international symbol of endangered wildlife and hope, and with the birth of this precious cub we are thrilled to offer the world a much-needed moment of pure joy,” Steve Monfort, John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, told the Associated Press.

Monfort said Mei Xiang’s age made her chances of giving birth to a cub slim. “However, we wanted to give her one more opportunity to contribute to her species’ survival,” he said.

At 22, Mei Xiang is the oldest giant panda to successfully give birth in the United States. The oldest in the world gave birth in China at age 23.

Mei Xiang has three surviving offspring, Tai Shan, Bao Bao and Bei Bei, that were transported to China at age 4 under an agreement with the Chinese government.

The zoo has reopened to visitors on a limited basis, but the Panda House is closed.

RELATED:

Giant Panda Cam: Smithsonian's National Zoo On Baby Alert

National Zoo Panda Mei Xiang Pregnant, Birth Could Come In Days