Community Corner

Remember that Tiny Little Panda that Looked Like a Rat? (Just Look at Her Now)

The unnamed cub of Mei Xiang is up to 5 pounds and has begun to open her eyes.

By Todd Richissin 

Among the casualties of the government shutdown were the live animal cams that beamed shots of the not-in-the-wild wildlife from the National Zoo to desktops all over the world.

The cameras went dark but are back up again, and, the most popular little animal of them all has gone through some big changes since she last appeared in public view.

The panda cam last showed the cub belonging to Mei Xiang as just a tiny little thing. Now, while far from the size of her mother, the cub looks nothing like a rat and more like something resembling a panda.

She's now grown to 5 pounds, the zoo reports, and is furry and seems happy enough and is able to scoot around on her own, though it'll take another three months or so to master the art of actually walking.

One problem with seeing her: When the cameras went back on, so many people were trying to get a glimpse that they were turned away, The Washington Post reports.

And while most of the government was back in operation Thursday, the National Zoo remained closed an additional day to get its house in order.
People can get a live peek this weekend, though. The zoo opens Friday at 10 a.m.


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