Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2012

The theory is that the mother doesn't need to invest too much energy on producing the cub. Panda's need to stay alive on very little energy anyways (processing bamboo costs quite a lot of energy and produces little), and it means that in years with a food shortage she can leave the cub and remain alive without loosing too much energy herself...
 
I should have braced myself. I've never gotten so attached to a newborn baby. I feel very sad and I hope Mei Xiang is all right.
 
From the zoo's website and Facebook-
We are brokenhearted to share that we have lost our little giant panda cub. Panda keepers and volunteers heard Mei Xiang make a distress vocalization at 9:17 a.m. and let the veterinarian staff know immediately. They turned off the panda cam and were able to safely retrieve the cub for an evaluation at 10:22 a.m., which we only do in situations of gravest concern. The veterinarians immediately performed CPR and other life-saving measures, but sadly the cub was unresponsive. We’ll have more updates as we learn more, but right now we know is that the cub weighed just under 100 grams and that there was no outward sign of trauma or infection. We’ll share information with you as we learn more.
Blospz- Mei Xiang is doing all right. According to the zoo's Facebook- "Our panda keepers tell us that Mei has eaten a little bit and is resting comfortably. We're monitoring her closely."
I'd normally be upset that this loss happened, but I'm even more upset as I might have had the chance to see this cub next year. It's a shame that this rarely-kept species has lost another member. :(
 
But, we can find some good in this birth atleast happening. Everyone knows now that Mei Xiang isn't sterile, and maybe this will lead the zoo to figure out what factors contributed to the birth this year (regular estrus, better semen quality, etc.).

I'm beginning to suspect that Tian Tian may be just as much of the challenge as Mei Xiang, as it seems his sperm is of lower quality these days (Both cubs fathered by him have been through that 2005 sample).
 
It must be so much more disappointing and frustrating for them after finally getting another successful pregnancy with her, after those several years of failure. Things just never seem straightforward in the Zoo World.:(
 
Well, I hope since she had the baby, they will let her stay another year. I think they can research more how to get another successful pregnancy. Maybe if they have any left over sperm from 2005, they can try that again.
 
The final results of the necropsy on the panda cub were announced today. The little female died due to damage to her lungs and liver. The lungs were poorly developed which caused poor oxygen supply and damaged the liver. Poor little thing. Mei is almost fully back to herself and on exhibit.

Giant Pandas - National Zoo| FONZ
 
I have a question. Does the zoo plan on bringing back Nile Hippos since the website lists them as "not currently on exhibit". It says this for the Capybaras as well. The rest of the pre-elephant trails renovation animals simply say "this species is no longer at the zoo".

Also, when do the Bhutan Takin go on exhibit?
 
Zoo takins thread on 6-11-2011
Phantom Gaur said:
I talked to an assistant curator at the National Zoo in DC recently regarding the rumors of them getting Bhutan Takin. He said it would probably be a few years before they ever got Takin and that more than likely they would end up with Sichuan Takin instead due to the red tape involved with getting Bhutan Takin and Sichuan are more readily available.
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Gulo gulo said:
Zoo takins thread on 6-11-2011
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I think it would be more fitting for the National Zoo to get Bhutan Takins. Sichuan Takins are in every zoo that holds the species with the exception of the Denver Zoo so I think the nation's zoo needs another, less represented subspecies like the Bhutan Takin. Mishmi Takins and Golden Takins (I wish) would also be good but no Sichuans for the National Zoo. That's just my opinion.
 
ThylacineAlive said:
I think it would be more fitting for the National Zoo to get Bhutan Takins. Sichuan Takins are in every zoo that holds the species with the exception of the Denver Zoo so I think the nation's zoo needs another, less represented subspecies like the Bhutan Takin. Mishmi Takins and Golden Takins (I wish) would also be good but no Sichuans for the National Zoo. That's just my opinion.
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For comparison, the Mishmi Takin is by far the most common subspecies held in Europe, with 28 holders - three of which are in the UK.

Of the other subspecies, only 6 collections hold the Sichuan Takins which are so common for you ;) and 4 collections hold Golden Takins.

It gives some idea of how unusual Bhutan Takin are that the last one to be held in Europe died almost 100 years ago, around 1918.
 
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