WASHINGTON — The National Zoo said Wednesday that experts believe they have spotted a developing fetus inside its giant panda female, Mei Xiang.
Based on the size of the fetus, which is about 4 centimeters, veterinarians estimate that Mei Xiang could give birth early next week, or possibly in early September.
The fetus was spotted by chief zoo veterinarian Don Neiffer during a morning ultrasound test.
He said he spotted what appeared to be a rib cage and some cranial structure, and saw the fetus move.
“Everything points to this being a really healthy normal pregnancy at this point,” he said Wednesday. “I am expecting this to progress nicely.”
He said the panda could give birth as early as seven to 10 days, or as late as 21 to 28 days.
Neiffer cautioned however that the fetus could also be “resorbed,” which can happen in bears, and a birth might not occur. “The ability for this fetus to become unviable and be resorbed from now until the time when we would expect delivery is a real possibility,” he said.
