Tai Shan Holds Zoo's Hopes, Public's Heart

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Tai Shan Gets More Room to Play
The National Zoo's giant pandas will be moving to a new, larger enclosure when the National Zoo's new Giant Panda Habitat opens on Sept. 20.

"Now that we've got a cub on the ground, the Chinese realize that we know what we're talking about," Howard said.

Over the past year, zoo scientists have visited China to share breeding information and demonstrate their work, and three Chinese veterinarians have come to the zoo to study the procedure and other innovations in panda management, including improved nutrition. The zoo's scientists are continuing their research into panda procreation and hope to find a way to know for sure when a giant panda is pregnant. With Mei Xiang, it was a guessing game until she gave birth.

The zoo plans to breed Mei Xiang again in the spring and will resort to artificial means if necessary, perhaps experimenting with thawing frozen sperm from Tian Tian or a male panda at the San Diego Zoo, a technique that would make it easier to breed genetically diverse offspring without moving the animals to different zoos.

"We still have hopes that our male will get the job done, but it's nice to have options," Howard said.

Tian Tian, who has been separated from Mei Xiang since the cub's birth, has been amazingly self-sufficient, keepers say. He will rejoin his mate during the breeding season, probably in March, but will not be allowed near Tai Shan as a precaution.

Mei Xiang has been "a fabulous mother" to Tai Shan, according to Howard and the zoo's chief veterinarian, Suzan Murray. They said they know of plenty of frightened, first-time panda moms that have walked away when cubs were born.

"She did it perfectly," Howard said. "The panda cam showed that she was pure hands-on 24/7, and she continued to be attentive" as he grew.

The healthy cub, who will be completely weaned by spring, has developed somewhat more quickly than the three cubs born in San Diego, picking up weight faster and scent-marking earlier.

He bounds into his yard about 7 a.m. these days, a treat for early visitors. He plays a bit, sometimes with his mom, then climbs a favorite tree for a mid-morning nap. He comes down periodically and usually goes inside at night when called.

Except when he doesn't.

Several months ago, Tai Shan, whose name means "peaceful mountain," stubbornly remained in a tree and barked at zoo director John Berry, who tried to coax him down for a special evening appearance before the Smithsonian Institution regents. And last month, the cub braved a rainstorm, refusing to come inside until 11 p.m.

Curator Stevens, who has been chewed out by panda fans for jokingly calling him a "little monster" in her Web site reports, said it has been a joy to watch the cub's "amazing metamorphosis."