The Panda Watch

Ever since Mei Xiang -- the female giant panda at the National Zoo -- gave birth to her first cub July 9, I have been avidly following the Smithsonian's blog on the cub's development and watching live shots of Mei Xiang and her cub on the Animal Planet's webcam (the ones at the Smithsonian's web site are generally too busy for me to connect). From all signs so far, the cub is healthy and active, and Mei Xiang is an extremely attentive mother. A few days ago, the zoo examined Mei Xiang's cub for the first time and learned that it is a male. He is currently a foot long (30 cm) and weighs almost two pounds (825.7 grams).

I am not entirely sure why this cub has fascinated me so, but I suspect it is because the trouble the National Zoo's pandas have experienced conceiving and raising healthy cubs reminds me of my own history of infertility and pregnancy loss. I remember comparing myself to a panda when I had my son because of all the medical tests and procedures I had to undergo to conceive him and the intense monitoring I received from various doctors as he grew to term. After my son was born, I was too anxious about his health to sleep well for several weeks (although there was no reason to worry), just as the veterinary staff at the zoo have been monitoring Mei Xiang and her cub around the clock for any trouble. Coincidentally, my son's first pre-school class was called the "Pandas." I hope the new cub will remain as healthy as my son has been and that both will live long, full, happy lives.

October 3, 2005

I love my job! A few weeks ago I tossed out the idea of researching and writing a story about giant pandas, and my boss approved it! The story is available on the State Department's Web site for overseas audiences.