The National Zoo's veterinarians confirm that the baby panda born a scant three weeks ago is a boy! Today was the first day the zookeepers spent some time alone with the cub, who weighs 1.82 pounds and is 12 inches long, and is described as being "very solid and sturdy and extremely cute." We assume that in future visits, the world can expect adorable and extensive photographs of the baby (like this one of San Diego Zoo cub Mei Sheng). Baby Boy Panda won't be on exhibit until October, when he is three months old, and there will most likely be a 100 days naming ceremony around that time, too. So, this is as good as a time as any to mention that the Amtrak Acela has increased the number of trains that go to DC. We'll be there with our panda ears on.

The National Zoo's FAQ on panda mothers and cubs. Animal Planet is also streaming the Panda Cam. And Gothamist on pandas.
Photographs from the National Zoo and AP





Long live the wonderful pandas!
What's most exciting is that the cub looks like a panda - no more pale pink hamster looking business going on. And what I like is that the black band on the cub's back narrows towards the middle - just like his dad!
Aww, same suit as big poppa....totally CUTE!!!!!!!!!
He's A cute little Guy.
Here's wishing him the best.
Since I live down the street from the Zoo, should your faithful former DCist editor host a pre-panda viewing brunch in October?
Mike, I'd love a panda brunch, but I'm not sure of the best strategy we should take to view the panda. Should we go to the Zoo at the crack of dawn and then have a post-panda brunch? Or should we just scrape together some cash, donate it to the Zoo, and hope for the best?
Omigod. Imagine that panda as being dark gray all over. It's like the huge rat that lives in the back of my alley that I see in the garbage bins at night.
so black and white = cute and dark gray = Hideous.
A post-panda brunch might work better then. And for all those in New York who may come down to see the beloved little creature, even though it makes sense to get off at the Woodley Park-Zoo station, the Cleveland Park station is actually slightly closer to the Zoo (if you take into consideration the length of the long escalator ride at Woodley Park).
mgrass... not to mention the UNGODLY uphill trek from woodley park-zoo. I went twice while I was in dc in july and I wanted to die.
Umm.. Yay for the panda!