In-focus

Technology

Liver problem causes panda cub death in zoo

Dunya News

A National Zoo veterinarian says a liver problem was to blame for the death a 6-day-old panda cub.

Chief veterinarian Suzan Murray told a news conference Thursday that the cubs cause of death was liver necrosis, or the death of liver cells. Murray says the cubs lungs were also underdeveloped and likely did not provide enough oxygen to the liver.The zoo also offered a glimpse of panda mother Mei Xiang in her yard Thursday. Her behavior has slowly returned to normal after the cubs death.The cub, believed to be female, was born Sept. 16. Zoo officials and panda fans were devastated by its death less than a week later. The birth was a surprise because it had not been clear whether Mei Xiang was still fertile.