A celebration is in order, after a giant panda by the name of Mei Xiang gave birth last night (Friday, August 21) to a "precious" cub.

Taking place at Washington's National Zoo, a spokesperson from the zoo confirmed the "joyous news" that Mei Xiang had given birth at 6:35PM Eastern Time.

Panda lovers around the world were also able to witness the birth via the zoo's Panda Cam - which zookeepers are also using to track the mom and cub in these crucial times.

At 22 years old, Mei Xiang is the oldest panda to successfully give birth in the US! The oldest panda to ever give birth did so at 23 in China.

Officials from the zoo revealed the amazing news last night on social media, tweeting the following message, along with a picture of Mei Xiang:

"Joyous news: a precious giant panda cub has arrived! Mei Xiang gave birth at 6:35 p.m. and is caring for her newborn attentively. Keepers are watching Mei Xiang’s behavior and hope to see her nurse the cub and cradle it close to keep him/her warm. They’re also listening for loud squeals, which are signs of a healthy cub."

The zoo later posted a video of the wonderful moment the cub entered the world. The team captioned the video: "See and listen to the joyous moment when our giant panda cub was born at 6:35 p.m.! The animal care team reports mom Mei Xiang and cub appear to be doing well."

And in yet another video update, the new mother shared a glimpes of her new cub.

The video was accompanied with caption: "Three cheers for giant panda Mei Xiang! She graced us with a glimpse of her wonderful, wiggly cub."

Speaking to WHSV News, Steve Monfort, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, said of the birth:

"Giant pandas are an international symbol of endangered wildlife and hope, and with the birth of this precious cub we are thrilled to offer the world a much-needed moment of pure joy."

Mei Xiang was also artificially impregnated. Speaking on the decision to allow a panda of her age to fall pregnant, Monfort said:

"Because Mei Xiang is of advanced maternal age, we knew the chances of her having a cub were slim. However, we wanted to give her one more opportunity to contribute to her species' survival."

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute]]

The zoo confirmed Mei Xiang's pregnancy earlier this month, along with the caption: "Keep your paws crossed."

The new cub makes Mei Xiang a mother of four - with her first three children, Tai Shan, Bao Bao, and Bei Bei, having all been transported to China under an agreement with the Chinese government.

The zoo has also replied to concerned social media users about the seemingly "small" den Mei Xiang gave birth in. Despite looking too small for a big panda, the zoo reassured its followers that giant pandas in wild give birth in small dens, writing on Instagram: "They stay in these dens for about the cub’s first 100 days."

It will take some time before the sex of the cub can be determined.

Congratulations Mei Xiang!

A celebration is in order, after a giant panda by the name of Mei Xiang gave birth last night (Friday, August 21) to a "precious" cub.

Taking place at Washington's National Zoo, a spokesperson from the zoo confirmed the "joyous news" that Mei Xiang had given birth at 6:35PM Eastern Time.

Panda lovers around the world were also able to witness the birth via the zoo's Panda Cam - which zookeepers are also using to track the mom and cub in these crucial times.

At 22 years old, Mei Xiang is the oldest panda to successfully give birth in the US! The oldest panda to ever give birth did so at 23 in China.

Officials from the zoo revealed the amazing news last night on social media, tweeting the following message, along with a picture of Mei Xiang:

"Joyous news: a precious giant panda cub has arrived! Mei Xiang gave birth at 6:35 p.m. and is caring for her newborn attentively. Keepers are watching Mei Xiang’s behavior and hope to see her nurse the cub and cradle it close to keep him/her warm. They’re also listening for loud squeals, which are signs of a healthy cub."

The zoo later posted a video of the wonderful moment the cub entered the world. The team captioned the video: "See and listen to the joyous moment when our giant panda cub was born at 6:35 p.m.! The animal care team reports mom Mei Xiang and cub appear to be doing well."

And in yet another video update, the new mother shared a glimpes of her new cub.

The video was accompanied with caption: "Three cheers for giant panda Mei Xiang! She graced us with a glimpse of her wonderful, wiggly cub."

Speaking to WHSV News, Steve Monfort, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, said of the birth:

"Giant pandas are an international symbol of endangered wildlife and hope, and with the birth of this precious cub we are thrilled to offer the world a much-needed moment of pure joy."

Mei Xiang was also artificially impregnated. Speaking on the decision to allow a panda of her age to fall pregnant, Monfort said:

"Because Mei Xiang is of advanced maternal age, we knew the chances of her having a cub were slim. However, we wanted to give her one more opportunity to contribute to her species' survival."

[[imagecaption|| Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute]]

The zoo confirmed Mei Xiang's pregnancy earlier this month, along with the caption: "Keep your paws crossed."

The new cub makes Mei Xiang a mother of four - with her first three children, Tai Shan, Bao Bao, and Bei Bei, having all been transported to China under an agreement with the Chinese government.

The zoo has also replied to concerned social media users about the seemingly "small" den Mei Xiang gave birth in. Despite looking too small for a big panda, the zoo reassured its followers that giant pandas in wild give birth in small dens, writing on Instagram: "They stay in these dens for about the cub’s first 100 days."

It will take some time before the sex of the cub can be determined.

Congratulations Mei Xiang!