SECOND BABY PANDA BORN! Mei Xiang Delivers TWINS

Earlier Saturday afternoon, the zoo said a large number of viewers seeking to watch the panda’s birth caused overload to its online live feed. That was the second set of panda twins born in the United States.

Mei Xiang has given birth to two surviving cubs, including Tai Shan, a male born in 2005, who is now in China.

The National Zoo announced Sunday morning that Mei Xiang is doing a great job caring for the panda cubs.

The tweet said “paws crossed 4 viable pregnancy”, as many panda fetuses don’t make it to term.

Chief veterinarian Don Neiffer said the cub has been showing signs of being healthy, including vocalising. “We don’t want Mei Xiang to hear the cub”, Thompson said. “This is the first time we see the little one!” he said.

One cub was placed in an incubator, in line with protocol when twins are born. One is kept in an incubator, while the other one is brought to its mother, giving each the crucial time it needs to nurse and bond. The first cub was born at 5:35 p.m.; the second cub arrived at 10:07 p.m. The Smithsonian said a newborn cub weighs three to five ounces and is about the size of a stick of butter.

Kelly, the zoo director, called it a “very fragile time”. Its lungs hadn’t fully developed. The first baby panda was born around 5:34 pm. This animal, believed to be the youngest, continues to vocalize very well and appears healthy according to zoo reports.

It will likely be four months before the cubs will venture from the den and visitors can catch a glimpse of the zoo’s newest panda. “We’re really excited!” Gu also brought his 18-month old daughter, Annabelle to learn about her heritage. If you’re having problems watching the camera, the zoo recommends downloading their app.

Mr Kelly said the gender of the cubs, or which of the sperm donors is the father, will be determined later.

The National Zoo in Washington says its adult female panda has had twins. The technique has allowed several pairs of panda twins to survive in the past decade, including one in Atlanta.

News of the birth has caused the National Zoo’s Panda Cam to crash for most users. The giant panda habitat has been closed to the public until further notice to provide them some quiet.

The cub’s birth isn’t the only event being celebrated at the zoo this weekend. Her second cub, Bao Bao, turns 2-years-old on Sunday.