“I’m eager to watch the newborn cubs in their early days. Support our Giant Panda Program and help provide the best possible care for our little guy. These continue to be difficult times, so we must fall back on your passion for our critical mission now more than ever. With that being said, the population around the world is becoming more stable, as more conservation efforts are made to protect the clouded leopard. See our, Read a limited number of articles each month, You consent to the use of cookies and tracking by us and third parties to provide you with personalized ads, Unlimited access to washingtonpost.com on any device, Unlimited access to all Washington Post apps, No on-site advertising or third-party ad tracking. Mei Xiang sleeps with her one-week-old panda cub on the morning of Aug. 29, 2020. DC, 2 VA Cities Among Best Places To Live In 2020: U.S. News, DC Residents Must Self-Quarantine After Visiting These 39 States, Attempted Armed Bank Robbery Suspect Sought: DC Police, 5 New Homes For Sale In The Washington DC Area. That's when the zookeepers can check its body parts, weigh and measure the cub and take a DNA cheek swab that will reveal its sex. But, born hairless, helpless and almost incomprehensibly tiny, newborn pandas look more like small rodents at birth than the cuddly black-and-white creatures that end up tipping the scales at 200+ pounds. Updated 2212 GMT (0612 HKT) October 5, 2020. Read the FAQs below, check out the latest #cubdates, and follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more chirping cheetah news. On Sunday, zookeepers were able to snag the baby for its very first vet exam after Mei Xiang briefly left the den. "We are encouraged to see that our young panda appears to be healthy and vibrant," the zoo said on its website. They also confirmed he is healthy and strong, and his eyes are starting to open. It almost sounded like a squeaky toy, but experts say the noisy cries and lifting itself off the floor are signs of healthy development. The National Zoo's 8-Week-Old Panda Cub Is Getting Feistier by the Day The cub, born on Aug. 21, is starting to explore his surroundings and go on field trips outside the den with his mom Check out the latest news and updates about Echo and her cubs. The zoo said the "active and responsive" cub weighed in at 634.8 grams, or just under 1.5 pounds. When briefly left by Mei Xiang, the cub cried, held up its head and used its legs to lift its body. The seven lion cubs born at the Smithsonian National Zoo this past summer have all officially been named. Echo gave birth to four cubs April 8, 2020! ❤️ Big news! The exam was a quick one, because vets didn't want to upset the cub's protective mama. MRC 5516 The cubs are a male named Paitoon, and a female named Jillian. All three now live in China, per an agreement between China and the U.S. approx 4 blocks 2605 24th Street Northwest. The Zoo instills a lifelong commitment to conservation through engaging experiences with animals and the people working to save them. Mei Xiang will spend longer stretches of time outside the small den where she spends time with her cub, zookeepers say. It was the first time a zoo in the United States experienced a successful pregnancy and birth via artificial insemination using only frozen semen, according to the release. Once she feels comfortable enough to leave for a few minutes and eat some bamboo, the cub can get its first check-up. Have a question about the Cheetah Cub Cam? The cheetah's spotted coat helps it camouflage among the dry grasses of the African savanna where it lives. Please view our COVID Safety measures before visiting. During this extremely tumultuous and isolating time, we want the new cheetah cam and all our live animal webcams to provide much … Have a question about Echo and her cubs? Always free of charge and open 364 days a year, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is one of Washington D.C.’s, and the Smithsonian’s, most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2 million visitors from all over the world each year. All rights reserved. Outdoor habitats and viewing areas remain open. Police Fatally Shoot Suspect After Chase, Crash in Frederick County, Lost & Found: Missing Virginia Dog Reunited With Family, Copyright © 2020 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. COVID-19 Cases Start To Drop; Questions Arise On Vaccine, Coffee Chat: Sundown Syndrome and Alzheimer's, MedStar Georgetown Virtual DC Community Input Meeting, The International Gem & Jewelry Show - Chantilly, VA, Buying Your First MD/DC Home During a Pandemic, Sunday October 25th Halloween Social Distancing- Ice Cream Social, Silver and Brass Restoration Services: Mondays 10-4, Early Learning Program Virtual Open House. Irish fare and folk music... read more . Built for speed, the cheetah can accelerate from zero to 45 in just 2.5 seconds and reach top speeds of 60 to 70 mph, making it the fastest land mammal! Washington Antique Show. COVID Information. "It's a great time to visit the clouded leopard exhibit to see them and learn about all our conservation efforts here and in Thailand.". We're excited to welcome you back to the Zoo, and we've made a few changes. Smithsonian’s National Zoo Seeks Help in Naming Four Cheetah Cubs Video The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is asking the public to help name the litter of four cheetah cubs born April 8 at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Instit... read more May. #PandaStory pic.twitter.com/O3eiRIIV1F. Echo gave birth to four cubs April 8, 2020! Bowie Woman Stuns All 4 Judges on ‘The Voice', DC Kids Make & Sell the Perfect Gadget for Trick-Or-Treat 2020: The Candy Chute, Copyright © 2020 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The sex was announced after obtaining a DNA sample from the cub at his first veterinary exam September 19, the zoo said. Paitoon and Jillian are so cute, they got their own video. The animals are located on the Zoo's Asia trail, and made their public debut Wednesday. The 6-week-old giant panda at the Smithsonian's National Zoo is a boy. News4's Derrick Ward reports why zookeepers say this was a miracle birth. This cub is Mei Xiang's fourth surviving cub. The Zoo has been home to clouded leopard's since 2006 but this is the first time that itty-bitty cubs will also be on the grounds. The youngest of the three, Bei Bei, departed for his new life just last fall. If you've lived in the D.C. area for more than a couple of years, it probably came as no surprise when the National Zoo's latest giant panda cub ... didn't exactly look like a panda. The cub was born August 21 to 22-year old Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) by artificial insemination. Update: The cubs are on the move! Tune in to the Cheetah Cub Cam streaming live from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, for all the action. "These are all good signs, and Mei Xiang’s cub seems strong," giant panda keeper Marty Dearie said in the cub's day seven update. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. We are open every day except Christmas day 9.30am until 5.00pm . For now, keepers are monitoring mom and baby through the zoo's panda cams. The cub's black markings have appeared, and its fur is growing in, although its pink skin is still visible at its muzzle, the top of its head, its upper back and its tail. The cub is now more than 3 weeks old. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. D.C. is buzzing with excitement over the birth of a new giant panda cub. The white-colored, almost translucent-looking cub propped itself up to cry for attention. 19, 2020 Cheetah Cubdate #6: The Grass is Always Greener By becoming a member, you'll help the Zoo save species and get great benefits for you and your family each time you visit!