On July 9, 2005, a baby panda cub took Washington’s National Zoo by storm.
Although zookeepers chose not to approach the male cub for weighing or measurement for several weeks, press outlets estimated the white, hairless cub at about the size of a stick of butter. By now, the cub is more than 17 inches tall and has acquired its distinctive panda markings.
The baby panda will remain unnamed until mid-October, 100 days after his birth, in keeping with Chinese tradition. The cub was born to Mei Xiang, who was donated to the Zoo in 2000 along with her mate, Tian Tian. This is their first cub.
Zookeepers cannot say when the cub will be available for viewing. According to the zoo’s website, they are waiting for the cub to leave its den, usually about four months after birth.
