If you were breathlessly following the countdown to Kate and William’s royal baby last week, you’ll be glad to know there’s another babywatch happening closer to home. The National Zoo’s female giant panda could be pregnant again. Mei Xiang gave birth to a cub last fall, but it died a few days later. To find out why the panda pregnancy means so much for the zoo, Tom and Emily called Brandie Smith. She is the senior curator for Mammal Husbandry Sciences, Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry Research.