Zoo: Liver problem to blame for panda cub death
WASHINGTON - JULY 09: Giant panda Tian Tian eats bamboo at the National Zoo July 9, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Copyright Getty Images
Posted: 10/11/2012
WASHINGTON (AP) - A National Zoo veterinarian says a liver problem was to blame for the death last month of a 6-day-old giant panda cub.
Chief veterinarian Suzan Murray told a news conference Thursday that the cub's cause of death was liver necrosis, or the death of liver cells. Murray says the cub's lungs were also underdeveloped and likely didn't provide enough oxygen to the liver.
The zoo also offered a glimpse of panda mother Mei Xiang in her yard Thursday. Her behavior has slowly returned to normal after the cub's death.
The cub, believed to be female, was born Sept. 16. Zoo officials and panda fans were devastated by its death less than a week later. The birth was a surprise because it hadn't been clear whether Mei Xiang was still fertile.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
PRINT
National News
-
Boy Scout leaders to vote on gay ban
As protesters made one last stand, the Boy Scouts of America's leadership began a conference Wednesday that was expected to culminate in a long-anticipated vote on whether to allow openly gay Scouts - a decision that, either way, could deeply affect the organization's membership and funding.
-
Others who took the 5th
-
Eyewitness to disaster: Our photos in OK
-
LIST: 25 deadliest twisters ever in US
-
Joplin survivor rides out Okla. tornado
-
Tornado victims in Okla. identified
-
Oklahoma tornado damage could top $2B
Top Stories
-
Boy Scout leaders to vote on gay ban
As protesters made one last stand, the Boy Scouts of America's leadership began a conference Wednesday that was expected to culminate in a long-anticipated vote on whether to allow openly gay Scouts - a decision that, either way, could deeply affect the organization's membership and funding.
-
Police seek 2 in Green Twp. BP robbery
-
Veterans welcomed home from D.C. trip
-
50-plus hurt when IN school buses crash
-
I-Team: IRS e-mails raise questions
