The reliably fertile Lun Lun is expecting yet again.
Zoo Atlanta's giant panda mom, who has given the world five cubs, including a pair of twins, during her 18 years on the planet, could deliver another baby sometime in the next three weeks, according to zoo officials.
Lun Lun underwent an ultrasound on Tuesday that revealed the presence of a fetus about 1/3 of an inch in length. The giant panda’s behavior and her hormone profile both suggest that a birth could be imminent.
Vets and keepers at Zoo Atlanta will begin monitoring Lun Lun 24 hours a day as she nests in her off-exhibit den, according to zoo officials.
Lun Lun was artificially inseminated on March 28, 2016, with the help of 18-year-old male Yang Yang. Their cub would be the sixth offspring for the couple. Their first three cubs have been moved to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. Lun Lun and Yang Yang are on loan to Zoo Atlanta from the Chengdu center.
The Panda couple's fourth and fifth offspring, 3-year-old female twins Mei Lun and Mei Huan, live at Zoo Atlanta and are the only twin giant pandas in the U.S. The zoo cautions that no birth is certain, and adds that because veterinarians were only able to conduct a partial sonogram, Lun Lun could again be carrying twins.
The new cub would be the first giant panda cub born in this country this year. Those interested in panda activities should check out the PandaCam at zooatlanta.com.
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