by
Wed, May 02 2012 12:48:15

Panda AI

On April 30, 2012, the Smithsonian's National Zoo live-tweeted the artificial insemination of female giant panda Mei Xiang.

  1. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    Ever wondered what a giant panda AI is like? Find out today! We will live-tweet Mei Xiang's AI at 4 p.m. s.si.edu/aBZ4T #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 12:06:14
  2. Getting ready for #pandaAI! http://pic.twitter.com/QPSOZfDC
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    ·
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 12:56:30
  3. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    Dr. Dave Wildt here! I'm reproductive scientist at the National Zoo and head of the Center for Species Survival. #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:05:54
  4. Ready to go! #pandaAI http://pic.twitter.com/bBswnTQf
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    ·
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:11:34
  5. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    We performed the first artificial insemination about 15 hours ago. #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:16:58
  6. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    The microscope is set up, the pipettes are ready and the slides are prepped. A little more to do until we'll bring in Mei Xiang. #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:20:43
  7. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    Mei Xiang is 13 and the mother of Tai Shan, who was born in 2005 and beloved in DC. Baby pandas= #pandamania! #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:22:39
  8. JudynTX
    Judy Kabo@JudynTX
    #pandaai I feel like I'm in the surgery room with Mei :D
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:28:25
  9. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    We sent Tai to his new home in China in January, 2010. #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:30:24
  10. dcist_martin
    Martin Austermuhle@dcist_martin
    Funny how all the panda haters are watching #pandaA!.
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:33:25
  11. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    Today I’ll use the term “AI.” “AI” stands for artificial insemination. We hope it’ll help us produce a panda cub! #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:33:17
  12. Carol Loveless
    Carol Loveless
    Good Luck Mei , love you and hope this is your year for another cubbie
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:35:29
  13. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    We've started the process of anesthetizing Mei Xiang #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:38:53
  14. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    If you have questions during this procedure, tweet @NationalZoo with #pandaAI. We’ll do our best to answer a few of them!
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:39:58
  15. There are 15-20 of the Zoo’s scientists, animal keepers and vets in the room, waiting. Lots of equipment. #pandaAI http://pic.twitter.com/9PbIC3z5
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    ·
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:44:59
  16. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    We even have two colleagues here from China, Dr. Li Desheng and Ms. Zhou. It’s an exciting day! Among my favorite times of year. #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:47:08
  17. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    The keepers and vets are carrying Mei on a tarp now with handles. It takes 8 people—she weighs about 230 lbs. #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:48:03
  18. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    Last night we couldn’t get quality sample from Tian, so we used a frozen sample from 2005, the year Tai Shan was born! #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:49:07
  19. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    Today we're using the same process using the "vintage" sperm. #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:50:21
  20. Now we have to get Mei ready. #pandaAI http://pic.twitter.com/9Sfk5P1Q
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    ·
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:53:05
  21. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    Mei Xiang looks surprising small on the table. I’m standing about 5 feet away. #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:53:26
  22. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    Mei is wearing a blue mask to get anesthesia. The vets are monitoring her heart rate and blood pressure, too. #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:54:10
  23. NationalZoo
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    There are about seven or eight people around Mei—vets and scientists. Her keepers are hanging back and watching, ready to help. #pandaAI
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:55:46
  24. MeganChialastri
    Megan Chialastri@MeganChialastri
    I'm learning so much about panda sperm from following the #PandaAI tag. Thanks, internet.
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:56:10
  25. Dr. Desheng and Dr. Comizzoli are inserting a thin tube about 12 inches into Mei filled with sperm. #pandaAI http://pic.twitter.com/kRtzob5r
    National Zoo@NationalZoo
    ·
    Mon, Apr 30 2012 13:56:59

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National Zoo

The Smithsonian's National Zoo demonstrates leadership in animal care, science, education, and sustainability.

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