Mei Xiang
Encyclopedia
Mei Xiang is a female Giant Panda
who lives at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park
in Washington, D.C. Mei Xiang gave birth to male cub Tai Shan
on July 9, 2005; Tai Shan's father is Tian Tian
.
Mei Xiang was born on July 22, 1998, at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong
, Sichuan
Province; she weighs about 240 pounds. Her parents are Xue Xue (mother) and Lin Nan (father). Giant pandas are thought to be solitary creatures, except for mating season and mothers with young cubs. In keeping with the habits of wild pandas, Mei is generally alone, although Mei and Tian are occasionally together outside of breeding season. Tian and Mei are trained to participate in a full medical examination, including a blood draw, without anesthesia.
Giant Panda
The giant panda, or panda is a bear native to central-western and south western China. It is easily recognized by its large, distinctive black patches around the eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. Though it belongs to the order Carnivora, the panda's diet is 99% bamboo...
who lives at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Smithsonian National Zoological Park
The Smithsonian National Zoological Park, commonly known as the National Zoo, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States, and as part of the Smithsonian Institution, does not charge admission. Founded in 1889, its mission is to provide leadership in animal care, science, education,...
in Washington, D.C. Mei Xiang gave birth to male cub Tai Shan
Tai Shan (panda)
Tai Shan , also known as Butterstick or 'Pandie' ) is a giant panda born at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C on July 9, 2005 at 3:41 AM...
on July 9, 2005; Tai Shan's father is Tian Tian
Tian Tian
Tian Tian is a 275-pound male giant panda at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. The panda was born on August 27, 1997, at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda at the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province, to Yong Ba and Pan Pan...
.
Mei Xiang was born on July 22, 1998, at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong
Wolong National Nature Reserve
Wolong National Nature Reserve is a protected area located in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. Established in 1963, the reserve covers an area of about 200,000 hectares in the Qionglai Mountains region. There are over 4,000 different species recorded in the reserve....
, Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
Province; she weighs about 240 pounds. Her parents are Xue Xue (mother) and Lin Nan (father). Giant pandas are thought to be solitary creatures, except for mating season and mothers with young cubs. In keeping with the habits of wild pandas, Mei is generally alone, although Mei and Tian are occasionally together outside of breeding season. Tian and Mei are trained to participate in a full medical examination, including a blood draw, without anesthesia.