Topics » Science & Technology Sept. 27, 2012
Helping Nature Along: Breeding Giant Pandas
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Photo: Smithsonian's National Zoo
A Short-Lived Celebration
The Panda Cam at the Smithsonian's National Zoo captures images from inside the den built by Mei Xiang.
Sadly, six days after the birth of the panda cub, Mei Xiang let out a noise of distress, a sign that her cub had stopped moving.
A team of zookeepers retrieved the cub from the den and found the baby was not breathing and had no heartbeat. They performed CPR, but were unable to revive the cub.
The details on the cause of the panda cub's death remain unknown until further tests are completed. But a necropsy showed that the cub's liver was hardened and an unusual color.
The causes of death for newborn cubs vary, but pneumonia, infection and accidental crushing are among the most common.
Sadly, six days after the birth of the panda cub, Mei Xiang let out a noise of distress, a sign that her cub had stopped moving.
A team of zookeepers retrieved the cub from the den and found the baby was not breathing and had no heartbeat. They performed CPR, but were unable to revive the cub.
The details on the cause of the panda cub's death remain unknown until further tests are completed. But a necropsy showed that the cub's liver was hardened and an unusual color.
The causes of death for newborn cubs vary, but pneumonia, infection and accidental crushing are among the most common.
