Panda cub at National Zoo is officially healthy and vibrant after first exam

Good news for the National Zoo today as they were able to grab the new baby panda cub from mom Mei Xiang for a few minutes to give it a quick exam. After looking the newborn over on Sunday morning, the zoo veterinarian has deemed the tiny cub healthy and vibrant, according to a report by the Washington Post on Aug. 25.

After a couple of failed attempts over the weekend, Mei was able to be distracted long enough for the panda team to snatch her baby to get a much-needed neonatal exam. She was not a happy camper as she was a bit agitated until her baby was brought back to her.

The official weight of the cub is 4.8 oz. and is said to have a strong heart rate and clear lungs. It looks to be well-fed and of course, it certainly knows how to squeal. He or she is a healthy shade of pink and fully formed, unlike its twin that was stillborn.

The second one that did not make it was said to be missing its brain and was not fully developed. It was born the day after the healthy cub came into the world.

The sex of the first cub will not be determined for a few weeks, as well as its paternity. A DNA swab was also included in the initial exam to find out which of the two male pandas that Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated with is the real daddy.

Mommy and baby can now bond together without too much interruption. Zoo officials and the rest of the world can watch in awe on the National Zoo’s panda cam on their official site.

© Kim Brandow 2013