Heartbreak for zoo keepers as smaller of twin giant panda cubs dies

The smaller of two panda cubs born at Washington’s National Zoo has died. The cub lived for a little longer than three days but its mother, Mei Xiang, was struggling to cope with both arrivals. Because pandas will not usually nurse twins if left to their own devices, keepers swapped the cubs every few hours, giving each one time with its mother. But they had to step in when Mei Xiang had not allowed them to swap the cubs for 24 hours. It appeared to have lost weight and was having trouble swallowing its feed. The remaining cub, however, appeared to be strong, robust and behaving normally and had remained with its mother.

When we realised the cub wasn’t going to make it, it was devastating

Washington National Zoo staff

The zoo had cautioned that both cubs were in a “high-risk period” in the days after being born. Pink, hairless and blind, newborn cubs weigh three to five ounces, while Mei Xiang weighs more than 700 times as much. The zoo said it was geared up to rear twin cubs and did everything it could to keep both of them alive. Antibiotics and other liquids could not save the cub, who was having respiratory issues. Mei Xiang has two other surviving offspring – Tai Shan, was born in 2005 and Bao Bao, which turned two on Sunday – and has had two other cubs which did not survive.

We were optimistic, we think Mei Xiang was doing everything right, but we don’t know. She was trying to balance and juggle two kids at the same time.

Dr Donald Neiffer, chief veterinarian

Americas giant panda