WASHINGTON (WJLA) — On Monday morning,The Smithsonian’s National Zoo confirmed the 6-week-old giant panda cub is a male.
Outwardly, male and female cubs appear similar at birth, so a genetic test was the most accurate way to determine the cub’s sex.
Scientists determined that the swab sample taken by the Zoo’s veterinarians has both sequences present—confirming that the cub is male. This cub isMei Xiang's third male cub, according to the National Zoo.
A painting created by male giant panda Tian Tian, the cub’s father, was used to reveal the sex of the cub to giant panda keepers and fans online.
You can watch the zoo's gender reveal video above.