The giant panda cub that died at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. Sunday had an abnormal liver, the zoo said Monday.
The cub was just under a week old, and the zoo stressed it is too early to determine the exact cause of death.
“The only abnormalities the veterinarians have detected so far were some fluid in her abdomen and a slightly abnormal liver. They don’t know yet whether either of those things is significant, and they’re still investigating,” the zoo said in a statement.
The cub’s heart and lungs seemed normal and said there was milk in its digestive track, meaning that it was nursing successfully, the zoo added.
Zookeepers were alerted to the cub’s death when its mother, named Mei Xiang, let out a distress cry on Sunday.
Pandas that are born in captivity are rare. According to the Washington Post, a total of six giant panda cubs have died at the National Zoo, dating back to the 1980s.
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 19 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
Friends Read Free