On May 19th staff of the National Zoo in Washington confirmed that Mei Xiang NameMei Xiang Chinese Names美香 Stud Number473 Date of Birth1998-Jul-22 SexFemale Current LocationSmithsonian's National Zoo Born atWOLONG MotherXue Xue - #444 FatherLIn Nan - #298 is not pregnant. Staff have been keeping a close eye on her and the indoor part of her enclosure has been closed so she could have some peace and quite to give birth.

On April 20th Mei's urinary progesterone began to decline. When this levels out then either a cub is born or the end of the pseudopregnancy. Pandas are well known for having false or phantom pregnancies when they ovulate but do not conceive. This was Mei Xiang NameMei Xiang Chinese Names美香 Stud Number473 Date of Birth1998-Jul-22 SexFemale Current LocationSmithsonian's National Zoo Born atWOLONG MotherXue Xue - #444 FatherLIn Nan - #298 's 5th but she has had one cub Tai Shan in 2005.

The decision as to whether Mei should be considered for breeding again in 2010 will be determined at a later date.

I would like to pass on our thanks to the scientist and keepers of Mei for all their continuing hard work in looking after and breeding Mei. Hopefully is Mei breeds next year they will be rewarded with an other cub.