WASHINGTON — The Smithsonian's National Zoo has closed part of its panda house because its female giant panda may be pregnant.
Spokeswoman Devin Murphy said Tuesday that Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) is starting to show some behavioral changes and sensitivity to noise, leading the zoo to close the area around her den. The zoo said last week that Mei Xiang's hormones are rising, which indicates she may be pregnant or experiencing a false pregnancy.
Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated twice in March after failing to breed naturally with male panda Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN). The zoo says its panda team is monitoring Mei Xiang closely and that she has begun nest building.
Mei Xiang has given birth to two cubs. Tai Shan was born in 2005 and a week-old cub died last September.
