Just days after birth, one of the National Zoo's baby panda cubs has died

(Image credit: Smithsonian's National Zoo via Getty Images)

published 26 August 2015

One of the twin baby panda cubs born Saturday at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C. has died.

The twin cubs were the second and third cubs born to Mei Xiang, one of the zoo's two giant pandas, in the last two years, following the birth of Bao Bao in August 2013.

Staff members had undertaken a method developed by breeders in China to care for the twins, switching them out regularly to ensure the mother gave attention to each cub and was not overwhelmed. However, since Monday afternoon, the mother had been ignoring the smaller of the two cubs, jeopardizing its health.