Panda Cub Arrives!
Posted at 10:37 am August 5, 2009 by Suzanne Hall
We have a new addition to our panda collection at the San Diego Zoo. At 4:58 this morning, Bai Yun gave birth to a vigorous, squawking infant! The staff here is elated and is, as always, in awe of Bai Yun and her perfect maternal skills.
She had appeared more restless than usual in the last 24 hours, resting for shorter periods with intermittent nest building through the day and night. At about 2:45 this morning, she was observed leaning back and holding her feet. Regular changes of position become common at this stage of labor, and contractions were evident as the time went by. Bai Yun handled it all well, and staff agreed that this seemed like one of her easiest labors.
At 4:58 a.m., Bai Yun stood up and had a series of contractions while on all fours. With the last one, we suddenly heard the loud squawking we had all been anticipating. As Bai Yun turned around to gather up the cub, we all got a glimpse at a wriggling infant on the floor, crying loudly for attention. Bai Yun immediately attended to her newest offspring and spent the next half hour or so soothing it, cradling it in her arms and licking it.
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