Mei Xiang at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, February 2010
Mei Xiang (Chinese 美香 [mèiɕjɑ́ŋ] "beautiful fragrance") is a female Giant Panda who lives at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. Mei Xiang gave birth to male cub Tai Shan on July 9, 2005; Tai Shan's father is Tian Tian.
Mei Xiang was born on July 22, 1998, at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan Province; she weighs about 240 pounds. Her parents are Xue Xue (mother) and Lin Nan (father). Giant pandas are thought to be solitary creatures, except for mating season and mothers with young cubs. In keeping with the habits of wild pandas, Mei is generally alone, although Mei and Tian are occasionally together outside of breeding season. Tian and Mei are trained to participate in a full medical examination, including a blood draw, without anesthesia.
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