Second panda cub stillborn, first cub in "robust" condition
Reuters
2013-08-25
Views 240
There was good and bad news at National Zoo in Washington. Panda Mei Xiang's second cub, born 26 hours after her first, arrived stillborn.
Chief Veterinarian Dr. Suzan Murray
SOUNDBITE: Dr. Suzan Murray, Chief Veterinarian saying:
"The stillborn cub was never alive and it was malformed. Most of the malformations were limited to the head region. It's missing part of the skull, the eyes, the upper jaw and most of the majority of its brain."
While 50 percent of panda are twins, zoo officials say they weren't expecting a second birth --- certainly not a whole day after the first. The cub's surprise arrival prompted panic and confusion.
SOUNDBITE: BRANDIE SMITH, SENIOR CURATOR, SAYING:
"It was a few minutes of pure terror and it was minutes between the cub not moving and then realizing that this was a second cub. I'd say probably about 5 minutes of pure terror."
The news wasn't all bad for mom Mei Xiang --- cub number one is doing well.
Chief Veterinarian Dr. Suzan Murray
SOUNDBITE: Dr. Suzan Murray, Chief Veterinarian saying:
"The stillborn cub was never alive and it was malformed. Most of the malformations were limited to the head region. It's missing part of the skull, the eyes, the upper jaw and most of the majority of its brain."
While 50 percent of panda are twins, zoo officials say they weren't expecting a second birth --- certainly not a whole day after the first. The cub's surprise arrival prompted panic and confusion.
SOUNDBITE: BRANDIE SMITH, SENIOR CURATOR, SAYING:
"It was a few minutes of pure terror and it was minutes between the cub not moving and then realizing that this was a second cub. I'd say probably about 5 minutes of pure terror."
The news wasn't all bad for mom Mei Xiang --- cub number one is doing well.
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