DC zoo's den surrounding possibly pregnant panda closed

WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials at Washington's National Zoo have closed part of the panda habitat to the public because the zoo's adult female panda is entering the final stages of a possible pregnancy.

WJLA-TV reports that the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat was closed starting Monday. Zoo officials have said the panda Mei Xiang has been exhibiting behavior consistent with both pregnancy and "pseudo-pregnancy," including being very sensitive to noise.

Officials say that within 20 to 40 days, Mei Xiang will have a cub or experience the end of a pseudo-pregnancy. Mei Xiang had five pseudo-pregnancies between 2007 and 2012.

Visitors to the panda habitat can still see the other pandas Tian Tian and Bao Bao outside, often in the morning. Tian Tian will be inside the panda house in the afternoon.