New Born Panda Cub Healthy and Vibrant says National Zoo

[Stuart G]

http://www.today.com/pets/newborn-panda-cub-vibrant-healthy-says-national-zoo-8C10996227

A new baby cub at the Smithsonian Zoo in Washington is bright pink, very tiny and healthy, the zoo announced on Sunday as they released the first photos of the little bundle of joy. (hit link to view Photo)

The mama panda, Mei Xiang, gave birth at 5:32 p.m. on Friday, and according to zoo officials, after spending the past two weeks practicing for the moment by “spending extended amounts of time body licking and cradling her toys.”

Mei Xiang picked up her new cub immediately after giving birth and started nurturing it and cuddling with it, said zoo officials.

On Sunday, the zoo reported that their panda team was able to give Mei Xiang’s newborn its first neonatal examination. The team concluded that “the cub is robust, fully formed, and is a bright, healthy shade of pink,” adding that the newborn is “active” and “vibrant.”