Ultrasound points to pregnancy for giant panda in US zoo

An ultrasound image of the National Zoo's giant panda Mei Xiang is pictured in this handout photograph taken and released on August 19, 2015. -Reuters/Smithsonian's National Zoo

WASHINGTON: Ultrasound tests on Mei Xiang, the female giant panda at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, indicate she might be pregnant, officials said Wednesday.

Veterinarians detected what they think is a fetus which, at four centimeters (1.5 inches), suggests Mei Xiang could give birth next week or in early September.