Giant panda Update Aug 28, 2013

This morning keepers entered Mei Xiang's den to offer her food and water. They came with some of her favorite treats—diluted apple juice, a sweet potato and a pear. She licked the sweet potato but didn't show much interest in it or the pear. Although Mei wasn't very hungry, she was thirsty and she drank some diluted apple juice. Female giant pandas usually do not eat or drink much in the weeks after they give birth.

The entire time Mei was drinking she didn't put the cub down, so keepers didn't get a very close look at the cub. But they could hear it squawking and it sounded healthy. They also got several good looks at the cub on the web cams this afternoon.

Related Species:

Continue Exploring

November 15, 2025

Giant Panda Qing Bao Gets a Checkup ›

Giant panda Qing Bao had a routine checkup Oct. 22. Veterinarians say she is in very good health!

September 12, 2025

#DCPandas: Happy Fourth Birthday, Qing Bao! ›

Join us in wishing our “4-ever sweet” giant panda Qing Bao a happy 4th birthday!

August 22, 2025

Preparing for Panda Pseudopregnancy ›

Our giant pandas didn’t breed this year, but changes in Qing Bao’s behavior and hormones indicate she’s going through pseudopregnancy. Learn more in our panda team update!