birth

Mei Xiang Born at Chengdu Base

A beautiful panda cub named Mei Xiang was born today at the Chengdu Base! Her name means 'beautiful fragrance.' 🐼🌸

Source: Chengdu Research Base
Location: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
On July 22, 1998, a female giant panda cub was born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan Province, China. The cub, later named Mei Xiang (ηΎŽι¦™), meaning "beautiful fragrance," was born to an experienced mother as part of the base's breeding program. Mei Xiang's birth was a successful outcome of the base's artificial insemination program, which aimed to increase the genetic diversity of the captive panda population. As a newborn, she weighed approximately 4.2 ounces (119 grams) and displayed the characteristic pink skin and sparse white fur typical of panda cubs. The cub was closely monitored by veterinary staff and caretakers who ensured she received proper nutrition and care during her critical early development. Mei Xiang showed strong vitality from the beginning, demonstrating normal nursing behavior and steady weight gain in her first weeks of life. Mei Xiang's birth contributed to the growing population of giant pandas at the Chengdu Base and represented another success in China's conservation efforts for this endangered species. Her genetic lineage would later become important for international conservation partnerships.

Photos

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Photo 1 from Chengdu Research Base

Update Details

  • Date: Jul 22, 1998
  • Type: birth
  • Source: Chengdu Research Base

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Photo of Mei Xiang

Mei Xiang

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27 years old
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Mei Xiang is a beloved panda at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. She is known for being a wonderful mother to several cubs, including Xiao Qi Ji!

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Related Location

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Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

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Breeding Center
China β€’ Chengdu
Est. 1987
30.7267, 104.1404

This is Hua Hua's home! It has lush bamboo groves and open grasslands where the pandas love to explore and play all day.

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