Panda tops list for D.C. official symbol

WASHINGTON, May 10 (UPI) -- The Washington city council and mayor are debating which animal should be the District's official symbol -- and the panda is leading the way.

City Council Chairwoman Linda Cropp said the China-native pandas found in the National Zoo are so popular, supporters say they should be the symbol of the U.S. capital.

"The official animal chosen really should be what captures the imagination of the children and makes them feel good -- and the panda does that," said Cropp.

Tian Tian and Mei Xiang are six-year residents of the zoo but were born in China. But Tai Shan, their 10-month-old cub, is technically a U.S. citizen since he was born at the zoo.

Zoo visitors numbered in the tens of thousands since Tian Tian and Mei Xiang arrived and skyrocketed when Tai Shan was born.

Now there are as many visitors to the panda exhibit as there are to the White House and Capitol Building, the Christian Science Monitor reports.

Washington Mayor Anthony Williams said he'll accept all nominations for District symbol.

Council member Sharon Ambrose is more nationalistic though.

"We should have an animal that is native. We should have an animal that is American," said Ambrose, suggesting the bald eagle.