The pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound on October 18.
Our first panda cub, Mei Lan, is now 4 years old and was sent to China in February of this year. Our little boy, Xi Lan, just turned 2. And now there will be a new baby soon!
I better make sure my zoo membership is up to date!
5 comments:
How long is the gestation period? Two weeks doesn't seem like much of a warning.
Kathy - the gestation period varies - can be as long as 6 months due to delayed implantation. Because the fetus is so very tiny, it's next to impossible to see on US until the very end. Pandas may also have a pseudo-pregnancy which mimics a real pregnancy in all ways. Most times it's not known if the female is pregnant until she either delivers a cub or her hormone levels go back to normal. Very frustrating for the zoos and panda breeding centers.
Lynne I know how much you love pandas-how exciting that a new baby will be born soon!
Great news. How exciting!
I can understand now, from your explanation, why Panda births are so precious.
carol
Carol - Female pandas are only fertile for a period of maybe 2 days a year. In zoos and the panda breeding centers, the female hormones are monitored and the males and females are brought together when the hormone levels indicate ovulation is occurring. Since there is such a small window, zoos and the breeding centers usually will follow up with artificial insemination. In the wild, it's all up to the pandas to realize the time is right and get together. Pandas live solitary lives and the two sexes are not necessarily in the same locale.
There are only about 1600 giant pandas left, so every birth is important in keeping this species alive.
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