National Zoo: Panda cub went outside for 1st time

Associated Press
This photo provided by the Smithsonian National Zoo shows Giant panda cub Bao Bao outside with her mom Mei Xiang for the first time April 1, 2014, at the zoo in Washington. The zoo says Bao Bao tried out her climbing skills on one of the smaller trees and sat on the grass with a piece of bamboo. (AP Photo/Smithsonian National Zoo)

WASHINGTON (AP) — National Zoo giant panda cub Bao Bao has ventured outside for the first time.

The zoo says Bao Bao spent about two hours outside Tuesday with mother Mei Xiang . The zoo says Bao Bao tried out her climbing skills on one of the smaller trees and sat on the grass with a piece of bamboo.

Zookeepers had said Monday that Bao Bao would have the option of going outside if the temperature was at least 35 degrees (nearly 2 Celsius) and it was not raining or snowing.

Animal keepers "cub-proofed" the panda yards before allowing Bao Bao outside. They placed collars on trees to prevent the cub from climbing too high. Some tree limbs have been trimmed, and the keepers spread out bales of hay to cushion any falls.