The National Zoo's new giant panda cub is healthy and putting on weight fast, the zoo said on Friday, with a video showing early signs of signature markings.
The cub is one of two giant pandas born on Aug. 22 to Mei Xiang, a top tourist draw in the U.S. capital. The smaller of the cubs died last week of pneumonia and the zoo said a Wednesday examination showed the surviving panda was doing well.
"Our vets were able to do a giant panda cub checkup Wed. He's healthy & weighs 287.5 grams" (10 ounces), the zoo said on Twitter.
The cub's weight had gone up 83 percent since it was weighed last Friday.
Read More: National Zoo's Newborn Panda Cubs Get Special Attention
A 15-second video showed a gloved zoo worker handling the largely pink cub. He had some light-colored fur and faint characteristic dark markings around the eyes, front shoulders and legs.
The cubs were sired by Tian Tian, the zoo's male giant panda, using artificial insemination.Their birth captured international attention since giant pandas are among the world's most endangered species.
The new cub will be kept out of public view until January and no name has been chosen yet, officials have said. Mei Xiang previously has given birth to two surviving cubs.
Read More: Smaller Newborn Panda Twin Dies at Washington's National Zoo
