National Zoo Panda Mei Xiang Might Be Pregnant

WASHINGTON, DC — The Smithsonian’s National Zoo closed its Panda House this week because Mei Xiang, the zoo’s female giant panda, might be pregnant. The zoo announced the news on its website and social media Wednesday, and said Mei Xiang is displaying behavioral changes that might indicate she is pregnant.

However, she could also be experiencing pseudopregnancy, zoo officials said. Mei Xiang is in her secondary hormone rise — or the 40-50 days when her levels of progesterone start to rise — meaning she will either give birth to a cub or enter the final stages of pseudopregnancy in the next several weeks.

The zoo made the decision to close the Panda House due to Mei Xiang’s behavioral changes, including increased sensitivity to noise. She also is choosing to stay inside rather than come out to eat bamboo, another indicator she may be pregnant, according to zoo officials. She also spends the night hours building a small nest of shredded bamboo in her den.

In March, Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated using semen from Tian Tian, the zoo’s male giant panda. Zookeepers have been doing regular ultrasounds the past month but said they haven’t seen anything yet. The zoo said its scientists should know by the end of the month.

Zoo visitors will still be able to see Bei Bei and Tian Tian outside in their yards. The best time to see them outside is early in the morning between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., weather permitting.

RELATED:

Panda Baby On The Way At DC National Zoo?

Watch Pandas Play In The Snow At National Zoo In DC: Video

Panda Cam Returns At DC Zoo, Watch Pandas Venture Out (Video)