On August 21, 1999, it happened. Gathered around the viewing monitor in the Giant Panda Research Station, the researchers and keepers seemed to hold their breath as Bai Yun was in labor. The tension was palpable; you could have heard a pin drop in the observation room. Then Bai Yun turned and scooped with her paw, lay down on her back, and held something against her shoulder with her huge paw. “Was that it?” “Can you see anything?” “Is that the cub?” “Is it alive?” Then they heard the loud, telltale squawk they were hoping for. The room burst into cheers. There were tears of relief, and joy. The San Diego Zoo had its first giant panda cub.