WASHINGTON – Giant panda cub Bao Bao ventured outside for the first time with her mother.
Bao Bao is busy exploring with Mei Xiang nearby #WeSaveSpecies pic.twitter.com/ajzJ116dIJ
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) April 1, 2014
While Mei is munching on some bamboo Bao Bao has been checking out a tree, but she hasn't climbed very high yet pic.twitter.com/XGAuo7vIPl
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) April 1, 2014
The zoo said Monday that Bao Bao would have access to her mother Mei Xiang’s yard this week beginning each day about 8 a.m.
Zookeepers said she’ll have the option of going outside if the temperature is at least 35 degrees and it’s not raining or snowing.
Animal keepers have “cub-proofed” the panda yards. They placed “collars” on trees to prevent Bao Bao from climbing too high. Some tree limbs have been trimmed. And the keepers spread out bales of hay to cushion any falls.
␎ 
Click on the photo to see more pictures of Bao Bao.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on WTOP Facebook page.