Update on Giant Panda – Mei Xiang

Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu

From the National Zoo:

Mei Xiang is slowly settling back into her regular routine. She ventured into her outdoor enclosure on Saturday for the first time since we lost the cub, and briefly this morning and yesterday morning. She also made a brief appearance for the keeper talk inside the David M. Rubenstein Panda Habitat on Monday afternoon, though she still chooses to spend most of her afternoons in her den. Her appetite is gradually returning; she has been eating noticeably more bamboo and produce.

The David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat partially reopened over the weekend. Mei could still be sensitive to noise, so visitors may not be able to see her indoors just yet. However, since Mei’s behavior and appetite are returning to normal, the panda keepers expect to fully reopen it soon. Visitors are able to see Tian Tian and Mei Xiang in their yards, and Tian Tian indoors.

We are still waiting for final necropsy results on Mei’s cub. As soon as we have more information we will share it with you.

The entire panda team would like to express their gratitude for the overwhelming amount of support and condolences we have received from the public during this difficult time. We have gotten many questions about how to send messages to the keepers in the past week. The best way to get a message to the panda team is through the Zoo’s Facebook page and the FONZ Facebook page. You can also send them an email. Some supporters have expressed interest in making a memorial donation to help the Zoo’s giant panda conservation efforts. If you are so moved, please donate to the Giant Panda Conservation Fund here.