By Associated Press - Wednesday, January 15, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) - The National Zoo is extending its hours for the giant panda house this weekend as panda cub Bao Bao (bow-bow) makes her public debut.

Saturday is the first chance for the public to see the 5-month-old cub. The zoo says the panda house will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Visitors will be allowed into the building in small groups to avoid overcrowding.

Beginning next Tuesday, the panda house will be open to zoo members at 8 a.m. before it opens to the general public at 10 a.m.

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The zoo says the amount of time Bao Bao and panda mother Mei Xiang (may-shong) will be on exhibit each day depends on their behavior. They will have access to their private den if they choose.

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