National Zoo veterinarians announced on Wednesday that they have spotted a developing fetus inside Mei Xiang, a giant female panda.
Dr Donald Neiffer, chief veterinarian of the zoo, told the Washington Post that he spotted the fetus during a ultrasound test.
“Everything points to this being a really healthy normal pregnancy at this point. I am expecting this to progress nicely," he said. However, he said there is a possibility that the mother could resorb or miscarry the fetus.
The zoo issued a press release saying that Mei Xiang usually refuses to participate in ultrasound tests. The baby panda could be born as early as next week or in September.
Mei Xiang is also the mother of two surviving cubs: Tai Shan, born in 2005, and Bao Bao who was born in 2013.
The National Zoological Park, part of the Smithsonian Institute, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States.
