Ocean Park Hong Kong is celebrating the arrival of a very special pair of panda cubs: twins born to Ying Ying, the world’s oldest first-time giant panda mother, Fox News reports.
The 19-year-old panda delivered a male and female cub after over five hours of labor on August 15, just one day before her birthday.
This birth is a landmark for the park, marking the first-ever giant panda twins born in Hong Kong.
“This birth is a true rarity,” Ocean Park stated in a social media post, highlighting that Ying Ying is “the oldest giant panda on record to have successfully given birth for the first time.”
The park’s team and experts from the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP) provided constant support throughout the delivery, which occurred over an hour apart with the female cub arriving at 2:05 am and the male at 3:27 am.
As newborns, the cubs are considered “very fragile,” especially the female, who has a lower body temperature, weaker cries, and lower food intake than her brother. Both cubs are currently under 24-hour care and supervision by Ocean Park’s animal specialists and veterinary team.
While the park is eager for everyone to meet the new additions, fans will have to wait a few months for the twins to make their official debut.
“We are all looking forward to meeting the giant panda cubs,” the park shared in their post, asking for patience from the public as the team ensures the cubs’ well-being.
