National Zoo will release the name of it's cub on December 1
The voting for the name of the National Zoo’s panda cub closed on November 22. Her Naming Ceremony will take place on December 1, 2013. The zoo received over 115,000 votes.
The panda cub weighed 10.8 pounds (4.9 kilos) on November 22. Her keepers have noticed that she is responding to the noises she hears. When the keepers enter the den to take her for weights and measurements, she orients herself toward them. They also have been talking more when they are around her, which they hope will make her more familiar with their voices. So far they have just been referring to her as “cub” or “baby,” but soon the cub will have a name!
The panda cub is also taking small steps! She has been able to get her hind legs underneath her and stand up. She hasn’t gotten very far yet though, she’s only takes a few steps before sitting back down and crawling. Last Sunday she almost walked out of the den all by herself. She stood in the doorway of the den trying to get her hind legs underneath her and walk, but she tired herself out and took a nap in the doorway instead.
As the cub becomes increasing more mobile, Mei Xiang has started to take her out of the den for short forays into the indoor enclosures. She already took the cub out of the den and put her on the floor of the larger indoor enclosure while she got a drink.
Source: National Zoo
