This is the first giant panda birth ever at the World-Famous San Diego Zoo.
Recent research shows that there are one-thousand pandas left in the world.
This is the fifth panda birth in the United States. Washington D.C. The most recent panda birth in the United States occurred in 1989. Through the birth of this giant panda cub it is evident that Shi Shi, despite his age and lack of mating interest, is a viable male. Shi Shi is a wild caught giant panda who has never reproduced in captivity. Due to his lack of mating interest artificial insemination was necessary in order to incorporate his genetics into the captive population.