DC panda cub to go on exhibit

The National Zoo hopes to put its giant panda cub on exhibit sometime in November. The Panda House was closed shortly before first-time mother Mei Xiang gave birth to the male cub on July 9. The public can still see her mate, Tian Tian, in his yard, and Mei Xiang sometimes ventures outside as well. Zoo officials will set a date for reopening the exhibit after keepers determine how Mei Xiang adjusts to the additional noise and traffic, zoo spokeswoman Peper Long said in a story in Thursday’s Washington Post. Zoo officials plan to deal with the expected crush of visitors by giving out timed admission tickets. The cub will be named before it meets the public. Visitors to the zoo’s Web site have cast about 143,000 votes in a naming contest that ends September 30. Officials will announce the winning name Oct. 17. ap

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