As you may know, giant pandas are extremely difficult to breed, whether in the wild or at zoos (sanctuaries). Not only do the females of this species go into heat only once a year but they can also be picky about partners. That’s why the birth of any panda cub is worth celebrating!
Screenshot: CNN Earth
And, recently, the Ueno zoo in Tokyo, Japan has announced the good news on their website. Shin Shin the mom panda gave birth to twin cubs on Tuesday, 23rd, June. The newborns came into this world an hour and a half apart, at 1:03 a.m. and 2:32 a.m. They are off the display at the zoo and their genders and names haven’t been disclosed yet.
Screenshot: CNN Earth
Raising a baby panda cub is never an easy job. These creatures are very small when they were born, approximately the length of an adult human hand.
Screenshot: CNN Earth
As Shin Shin has two babies, her task is an extremely difficult challenge. The panda mom can’t take care of the baby twin at a time. To deal with this, the zoo’s staff let one cub stay with its mom, while the other is kept into an incubator under their supervision. This enables the both to build a close connection to their mom.
Screenshot: CNN Earth
Screenshot: CNN Earth
And just look! The way the giant mother cuddles her tiny babies is so sweet! She lets her baby lay on her big belly and softly lick it all over.
The zoo’s staff will keep a careful eye on the twin to make sure they grow healthily. When they are placed in their mom’s enclosure, the staff will observe all the expressions of the mother and the cubs, write down, and analyze.
Screenshot: CNN Earth
Screenshot: CNN Earth
Shin Shin was transferred to the Ueno zoo from the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, China where she was born. She later arrived at Tokyo’s zoo along with her male partner Ri Ri.
Screenshot: CNN Earth
The pair had the oldest child, a baby girl named Xiang Xiang in 2017. The family of three now expands thanks to the arrival of the twin. And Shin Shin is doing really well as a mother. We all hope to see the whole family when the mother and the cubs go on display at the zoo.
Screenshot: CNN Earth
Screenshot: CNN Earth
You can watch the video of the mother panda and her cubs staying together below!
H/T: CNN