Giant panda habitat closes as signs increase of possible birth of cub

Anticipation appears to be growing at the National Zoo, where officials closed the giant panda habitat on Sunday to keep a quiet area around possibly pregnant giant panda Mei Xiang.

Mei Xiang was inseminated artificially March 1, inaugurating a suspenseful waiting period.

On Sunday, the zoo made this announcement, suggesting that matters were progressing toward a conclusion sooner rather than later:

“The David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat will be closed to keep a quiet area around female giant panda Mei Xiang’s den who is exhibiting signs of pregnancy or pseudopregnancy.” Pseudopregnancy is a false pregnancy.

The zoo said its other giant pandas, Tian Tian and Bei Bei, could be viewed in their outdoor yards each day until 2 p.m.

Only ultrasound testing can confirm that a giant panda is pregnant. As of last week, the zoo said, no confirmation had been provided.

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