Mei Xiang -- National Zoo's Female Giant Panda (IMAGE)

Smithsonian

Mei Xiang -- National Zoo's Female Giant Panda

Caption

Mei Xiang, the female giant panda at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, was artificially inseminated March 19 by a team of Zoo scientists and veterinarians. The decision to perform the procedure was made after no successful mating had occurred between Mei Xiang and the Zoo's adult male panda Tian Tian. Timing was critical since giant pandas have one breeding season per year lasting only 24 to 48 hours. If the insemination is successful, the female panda is expected to give birth in the next 90 to 185 days.

Credit

Jessie Cohen/Smithsonian’s National Zoo

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