NATIONAL ZOO'S PANDA TAI SHAN GETS CHECKUP

Tai Shan, the National Zoo's 4-month-old giant panda cub, nuzzles his mother Mei Xiang, following his 12th health exam at the Smithsonian's National Zoo on November 21, 2005. The zoo's staff says Tai Shan is becoming more confident and competent in his movement, which allows him to explore the rocks in his indoor exhibit. (UPI Photo/Jessie Cohen/Smithsonian's National Zoo)