While the Zoo was closed due to the government shutdown, all animals continued to be cared for. That includes veterinary exams, and Qing Bao had a routine checkup Oct. 22. We are happy to report that she is in very good health!
As part of this routine health exam, Zoo veterinarians performed a complete physical exam and conducted diagnostics. They collected a blood sample, measured her blood pressure, obtained whole body radiographs and completed an oral health assessment. They also performed an echocardiogram and abdominal ultrasounds.
Along with weight measurements and diet reports, our animal care team uses body condition scoring as a tool to assess whether a panda is eating the right amount of food and is within a healthy weight range. Fat (or adipose) is necessary, but animals can run into problems with too little or too much. During body condition scoring, a nutritionist touches the area along a panda’s shoulders, spine, ribs and hips to determine whether there is appropriate adipose tissue covering those areas. Our nutritionist determined Qing Bao is in ideal body condition.
Working with giant pandas over the past 53 years — in collaboration with our Chinese colleagues — has allowed Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute staff to contribute to the wealth of knowledge about their behavior, reproduction, ecology and health. The information we learn by studying Qing Bao and our male panda, Bao Li, can be used by future generations of animal care professionals, veterinarians and researchers to care for giant pandas in human care and in the wild.
Qing Bao and Bao Li are a renewable source of smiles and pure panda joy. Planning to visit them at the Zoo? Reserve your free entry passes here. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated. Stay connected with our celeBEARties and tune in to the Giant Panda Cam, sponsored by Boeing.