The National Zoo, in Washington, D.C. revealed one of the two panda cubs that were born this weekend had died Wednesday.
"We are sad to report that the smaller of the two panda cubs has died," the zoo said in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon, according to CNN.
We are sad to report that the smaller of the two panda cubs has died. We will continue to provide updates on social media w/ #Pandastory.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 26, 2015
Dr. Donald Neiffer, the chief veterinarian of the National Zoo, noted the cub illustrated no signs of failing health until Wednesday morning after spending the night with its mother Mei Xiang, while its twin stayed in an incubator, reported Live Science. Because pandas won't usually nurse twins if left to their own devices, Chinese breeders developed a method where they would swap the newborns every few hours to help the mother care for her cubs.
"However, this morning, when our team went in to perform the swap again, we immediately noted that the little cub had not increased in weight, appeared weaker and was exhibiting possible respiratory issues," Neiffer said.
The cub was immediately given antibiotics, fluids and nutritional support. Staff saw slight improvement in the cubs health, but then it continued to deteriorate into the early afternoon, until it died at 2:05 p.m. EST, he said.
Associate Director for Animal Care Sciences Brandie Smith said the zoo didn't notice anything "obviously" wrong with the cub that died, and the zoo doesn't known if it was born with problems, reported the Associated Press. She noted despite the cubs seemingly small size, it was actually in line within the normal size range for cubs that survived.
Equally confusing for staff is the fact that Mei Xiang didn't show any signs that she was worrying about her infant.
The other cub, the larger of the two, is reportedly doing fine and is with it's mother.
Researchers hope to learn more about the cub's death from a necropsy. The team's top priority now will be to ensure the survival of the surviving twin and its mother.
