Bao Bao Back With Mom After Scary 24 Hours in a Tree
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Good news from the National Zoo: After more than 24 hours in a tree following a fright, giant panda cub Bao Bao has rejoined her mom.
The National Zoo's panda cub came down from a tree late Christmas Eve after spending Tuesday night and much of Wednesday there. Bao Bao was spooked after apparently touching a "hot wire" in her enclosure and getting scared, according to the Zoo.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Granted, there were many more serious things to worry about during the 2013 government shutdown -- but the public outcry over the panda cam's going dark was not exactly small. By the time the cam went live again, Bao Bao weighed almost five pounds and her eyes had begun to open.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Look, legs are hard. They are tricky and confusing and you have to use all of them together. Bao Bao had to put in some serious effort to meet this milestone in November 2013.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
OK, we get it: This was not exactly a milestone to stop the presses. But just look at this ridiculous video. Is your brain exploding from cuteness yet?
Smithsonian Magazine
Bao Bao’s very first feature showed off some gorgeous photos and shared weird panda facts. (Here's one: Pandas never actually evolved to eat bamboo, but have inexplicably lost their taste for meat.) The article also tried to sort out humans’ obsession with pandas. The likely reason: Just look at them.
Oak Room/Getty Images
Both U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan recorded videos for the ceremony in December 2013, held on Bao Bao's 100th day of life. "Bao Bao symbolizes 41 years of research and collaboration both at the National Zoo and in China," said zoo director Dennis Kelly.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Way back in Bao Bao's tiniest days, mama Mei Xiang passed over snacking opportunities so she could continue to snuggle her cub. Yes, Bao Bao had just that kind of power.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
It's enough to want to put a helmet on the little critter. As Bao Bao began exploring her den more, she naturally gravitated toward that cool rock structure. She looked sure-footed... at first. Fortunately, mama Mei Xiang quickly came to her rescue.
Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman was in town to host the "Christmas in Washington" special in 2013, which the first family also attended. But with whom did he get a photo first? Well, it wasn't the president.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Since panda fetuses are almost impossible to detect via ultrasound, Bao Bao’s unexpected birth on Aug. 23, 2013 was like getting a surprise party with all your best friends, and also with a donut truck parked right outside. The big moment was captured on video, and zoo vets say the footage has greatly contributed to their knowledge of panda moms' labors and deliveries.
Smithsonian's National Zoo
It was the video that launched a thousand YouTube windows. Bao Bao -- still unnamed at the time -- hated being measured, and her vocalizations sounded something like, "OWW! OWW! OWW!" OK, Bao Bao, we've never had tails, but we doubt it actually hurts to have one measured. Even so, our sympathy was with you.
"Staff determined that Bao Bao touched a 'hot wire' in her yard yesterday afternoon," said a Facebook post by the zoo Wednesday. The hot wires are not dangerous, but are part of a safe warning system used by the zoo to keep animals contained.
Sixteen-month-old Bao Bao remained in the tree overnight, and wasn't deterred by the rain that steadily fell through much of Wednesday.
"Her reaction was to climb up a tree where she feels safe," the zoo said. "This behavior is predictable. Bao Bao is perfectly fine and like all Zoo animals, she is still learning the boundaries of her habitat."
Zookeepers said the tree is among her favorites and is a comfortable place for her.
Bao Bao and Mei Xiang share a snuggle while outside in the yard. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
Giant panda cub Bao Bao explored her mother Mei Xiang's yard, climbing a nearby tree while her watchful mother munched on some bamboo. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
Giant panda cub Bao Bao explored her mother Mei Xiang's yard, climbing a nearby tree while her watchful mother munched on some bamboo. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
Giant panda cub Bao Bao explored her mother Mei Xiang's yard, climbing a nearby tree while her watchful mother munched on some bamboo. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
Bao Bao with watchful mom, Mei Xiang. Bao Bao, the National Zoo's giant panda cub, ventured outside her enclosure for the first time April 1. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
Bao Bao, the National Zoo's giant panda cub, ventured outside her enclosure for the first time April 1, watched over by mom Mei Xiang. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
Bao Bao, the National Zoo's giant panda cub, ventured outside her enclosure for the first time April 1, watched over by mom Mei Xiang. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
Bao Bao, the National Zoo's giant panda cub, ventured outside her enclosure for the first time April 1, watched over by mom Mei Xiang. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
Bao Bao, the National Zoo's giant panda cub, ventured outside her enclosure for the first time April 1, watched over by mom Mei Xiang. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
Bao Bao, the National Zoo's giant panda cub, ventured outside her enclosure for the first time April 1, watched over by mom Mei Xiang. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
Bao Bao, the National Zoo's giant panda cub, ventured outside her enclosure for the first time April 1, watched over by mom Mei Xiang. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
The National Zoo "cub-proofed" the yard for Bao Bao, the National Zoo's giant panda cub, before she ventured outside for the first time April 1. They spread hay to cushion any falls. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
The National Zoo's giant panda cub Bao Bao climbed trees and explored when she ventured outside her enclosure for the first time April 1, watched over by mom Mei Xiang. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
National Zoo zookeepers have placed "collars'' on trees to prevent Bao Bao, a giant panda cub, from climbing too high. The cub ventured outside her enclosure for the first time April 1. (Photo: Smithsonian National Zoo)
Bao Bao's doting mom, Mei Xiang, also spent the night outdoors, waiting underneath the tree and keeping watch. Keepers said she was a little concerned.
"A keeper stayed overnight in the panda house just in case they decided to come inside," the zoo said on Wednesday, before the cub climbed down the tree. "The staff are adjusting the pandas' routine today and are confident that Bao Bao will come down when she is ready."
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