WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) -  The death of the National Zoo's baby Giant panda has left zoo visitors and panda fans around the world with a sense of disbelief and sadness.  The Zoo's panda exhibit remains closed after the cub's passing , and while staff keep close watch on the behavior of mama panda Mei Xiang after the loss.

The cub, barely a week old, was followed online by countless panda devotees. Why do the black-and-white bears appeal to us so much? A D.C. therapist told 9News's Matt Jablow that pandas evoke our "sense of fun and play and remind us of childhood."

See the attached video for more of their conversation.