Panda pregnancy watch under way at National Zoo (AP)

WASHINGTON ? Teams of fans are keeping a 24-hour-a-day watch on the National Zoo's giant panda, Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) to see if she might give birth.

Scientists at the zoo detected a rise in hormone levels in May that could indicate that by early July she may give birth or end a false pregnancy.

Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated twice in January. But it's difficult to know whether a panda is pregnant or exhibiting signs of a false pregnancy.

Since early June, zoo veterinarians have been trying to perform ultrasounds several times a week. The zoo says Mei Xiang has not always been cooperative. She is also exhibiting signs of a pregnancy, such as eating less, sleeping more and cradling objects.

But for now, it's too soon to tell.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/pets/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110623/ap_on_re_us/us_national_zoo_panda

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