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2 More Years of Oohs and Aahs
Maeve Smith, 4, and her brother, Brennan, 2, peer through a glass wall yesterday at Tai Shan, who has drawn 2.25 million visitors since his public debut Dec. 8, 2005.
(By Susan Biddle -- The Washington Post)
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"Our female, Mei Xiang, with San Diego's male, our scientists determined, was one of the best matchings in the whole world," Berry said. "And so for the Chinese to allow that to occur was a significant step forward in terms of managing the population for its genetic health."
Berry said it won't be known for several weeks whether the procedure worked, and then, if successful, "60 to 90 days later, we would have a cub." If Mei Xiang does indeed have a second cub this summer, it would be an extraordinary success for the zoo; Tai Shan was its first surviving cub after decades of efforts. Tai Shan was also the result of artificial insemination.
But there are many "ifs in that equation," Berry said. "We think we got it, but this is now up to mom and Mother Nature."
Meanwhile, zoogoers expressed joy yesterday at Tai Shan's extended visit.
"I think it's great that we get to keep him for another two years. I wish we could keep him permanently," panda devotee Sandy Fuller of Wheaton said at the zoo after the announcement.
"I've watched him since the day he was born," she said. "I adore this little guy. So keeping him longer is just great. I think he's great for the area. I think he's great for the zoo."
As for Tai Shan, he emerged on cue right after the formalities, waddled to a giant popsicle zookeepers had made for him, and then sat down against the enclosure glass to gnaw on bamboo.
Zhou said Tai Shan looked happy. Outside the glass yesterday, all the humans did, too.
