Zoo

via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

From the National Zoo:

“For the first time at the National Zoo, veterinarians detected something new during an ultrasound procedure this morning on giant panda Mei Xiang. They believe it is a developing giant panda fetus. Based on the size of the fetus, which is about four centimeters, veterinarians estimate that Mei Xiang could give birth early next week, or possibly in early September. In past years, veterinarians have only detected changes to Mei Xiang’s uterus, which occurs for both a pregnancy and pseudopregnancy. Historically, and since Aug. 7 of this year, Mei Xiang declined participating in ultrasounds at this stage, so it was a surprise when she responded to the panda keepers’ calls this morning.

There is a substantial possibility that Mei Xiang could resorb or miscarry a fetus. Scientists do not fully understand why some mammals resorb fetuses.

The Zoo’s panda team is monitoring Mei Xiang through the Zoo’s panda cams. She is continuing to spend more time in her den, sleeping more, body licking and cradling objects – all behaviors consistent with a pregnancy or pseudopregnancy.

“Today, we are cautiously optimistic,” said Dennis Kelly, director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. “We want a healthy cub for all the right conservation reasons. I am excited, but I have to say that we were prepared for a cub even before this morning’s ultrasound. Our expert team of keepers, scientists and veterinarians are going to do exactly what they are trained to do and I’ll just ask everyone to remain positive with us.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Josh Bassett

From the National Zoo:

“Mei Xiang Spends More Time In Her Den

It has been 113 days since Mei Xiang’s artificial insemination, and she is entering the final stages of her pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. She is showing stronger behaviors consistent with both, which our panda team expects will continue during the next several weeks. She is sleeping most of the day, spending more time in her den, eating significantly less, and body licking.

As many veteran panda fans know, Mei becomes very sensitive to noise during the final stage of a pregnancy/pseudopregnancy. Our panda team made the decision to close the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat surrounding her den starting today to reduce noise and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Visitors to the panda habitat can see Tian Tian and Bao Bao outside (usually in the morning), and Tian Tian inside the panda house in the afternoon.

Keepers are allowing Mei to rest and do (or not do) whatever she likes. She has chosen not to participate in her last two ultrasounds, which is normal for her. Our veterinarians will continue to attempt ultrasounds, but only if Mei is willing.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.

@NationalZoo tweets the exciting possibility:

“Mei Xiang’s hormones are rising! She’ll have a cub or her pseudopregnancy will end in 30-50 days.”

More from an email:

“Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists have confirmed a secondary rise in giant panda Mei Xiang’s urinary progesterone levels. The slow rise started July 20 and indicates that she will either have a cub or experience the end of a pseudopregnancy within 30 to 50 days.

Scientists have been carefully tracking Mei Xiang’s hormone levels since she was artificially inseminated April 26 and 27. The inseminations used frozen sperm collected from Hui Hui, a panda living in China, and fresh sperm collected from the National Zoo’s Tian Tian.

Our panda team has been monitoring Mei Xiang very closely since the procedures. Vets will continue regular ultrasounds as Mei Xiang chooses to participate in them. They are monitoring changes in her reproductive tract and evaluating for evidence of a fetus. The only way to definitively determine if a giant panda is pregnant is to detect a fetus on an ultrasound. Scientists will also continue to monitor her hormone levels through daily analyses. Don’t forget to follow @smithsonianzoo on Instagram for behind-the-scenes photos and videos with the hashtags #PandaStory and #InstaScience.

A female’s behavior and hormones mimic a pregnancy even if she is experiencing a pseudopregnancy. Giant panda fetuses do not start developing until the final weeks of gestation, making it difficult to determine if there is a pregnancy. It may still be too early to detect a fetus on an ultrasound.

Mei Xiang has begun exhibiting behaviors consistent with a rise in urinary progesterone. She is nest building, choosing to spend more time in her den, sleeping more and eating less.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Istvan Kerekes

Years ago we had a debate about the Red Pandas vs the Giant Pandas. So let’s just take all the pandas out of this debate – besides them what’s your favorite animal at the National Zoo?

I’m voting for the Orangutangs when they are using the sky bridge – or the giant fish in the amazon exhibit. And I do love the poison frogs, pictured here, in the Amazonia exhibit too.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

From the Smithsonian National Zoo yesterday afternoon:

“Mei Xiang had her first ultrasound this morning. Vets weren’t looking for a fetus at this early stage, they’re tracking changes in Mei’s reproductive tract and getting her comfortable having her belly touched.

Pandas experience something called a diapause, meaning that even if a female is pregnant the embryo doesn’t actually implant into the uterine wall (and start developing) until 17 to 20 days before she gives birth. The panda team will continue to perform ultrasounds—the only definitive way to tell if a panda is pregnant—throughout the summer as Mei chooses to participate. Today, Mei wasn’t very interested in participating in the ultrasound. After lying down in the training chute she sat up before vets had a good look at her uterus. They shifted Mei to her den where she could stand up. But again, after a few minutes, she decided to stop participating.

Our vets perform ultrasounds because female pandas’ hormones and behavior mimic a pregnancy even if they are not pregnant.”

@NationalZoo tweets the selections:

“Mayni means “unique” and “Muniri”means “loving”

“They’ll be on exhibit Saturday, March 28 at 10 a.m.”