Mole Alert: Panda Mommahood--Not

04/29/2010

Baby? Well, Maybe Not

With Washington's famed cherry blossoms now gone with the wind till next spring, the focus of attention moved to the Panda House at the National Zoo, where the big question has been when, or if, the female giant panda Mei Xiang would give birth.

Panda pregnancies are almost impossible to confirm, till a cub shows up. Panda mothers-to-be do not crave strange food combos, or shop for cute maternity clothes. But there are some outward signs. Mei Xiang, who was artificially inseminated twice in January, began fashioning a nest from leaves and other materials she collected. She spent time cradling objects, such as apples, the way a mama panda would hold a newborn cub. And she's been carefully grooming herself, the way cats meticulously wash their coats and paws.

Zoo officials closed the Panda House to visitors, giving Mei Xiang more privacy, and put her on a 24-hour watch, a vigil on her every move, hopeful and hardly daring to believe she might be on the verge of motherhood again.

But Mei Xiang's telltale hormone levels told the tale, and once again, all the hopes for a new panda cub dissolved, as officials announced on Wednesday that the female giant panda is not pregnant..

Throughout it all, papa Panda Tian Tian remained blissfully unaware of any big event or big disappointment, as he enjoys the spring breezes and snacks in his outdoor enclosure.

When Mei Xiang gave birth to Tai Shan in July 2005, he arrived quickly, a white mouse-like form slipping into the world, then loudly demanding food and attention. Panda fans will have to wait, yet again, to experience that same joyful almost-surprise.

Tai Shan's Transition

And speaking of Tai Shan, what's up with him? You may recall he left town in February, just ahead of Snowmageddon, heading for China right before his old home region was smothered by historic blizzard conditions. Tai Shan endured  the required quarantine, then began adjusting to his new living quarters. His latest home is filled with climbing trees and other amusements for a busy panda. He's enjoying the local bamboo, daily fruit treats and "panda bread."

And just as in Washington, Tai's antics are captured by a video camera, so, yes, we can still check up on this fondly remembered panda boy---who one day may be the big brother of a new cub, thousands of miles distant.