In a heartwarming turn of events, Ocean Park Hong Kong announced the birth of the city’s first-ever giant panda twins, born early Thursday morning to Ying Ying and Le Le. The cubs, one male and one female, arrived after Ying Ying successfully mated in March, marking a significant milestone for both the park and the species.
In a remarkable display of maternal instinct, Ying Ying endured over five hours of labor, exhibiting signs of discomfort as she lay on the ground and twisted during the process. Ocean Park expressed its excitement on social media, highlighting the rarity of such an event: “This birth is a true rarity, especially considering Ying Ying is the oldest giant panda on record to have successfully given birth for the first time.”
Notably, Ying Ying’s delivery came just one day shy of her 19th birthday, adding to the celebration of life and resilience. However, the park has reported that both cubs are currently in a fragile state, requiring 24-hour intensive care from their dedicated animal care and veterinary team, along with experts from the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda.
The female cub, in particular, faces challenges, exhibiting lower body temperature and decreased food intake post-birth. Ocean Park assures that every effort is being made to stabilize the newborns during this critical period.
Chief Executive John Lee recognized the significance of this event, calling it a “very special occasion.” He expressed gratitude to the nation for gifting Ying Ying and Le Le to Hong Kong, and commended the Ocean Park team for their commitment to the welfare of the city’s giant pandas.
As the world watches closely, the hope is that these twins will thrive, bringing joy not only to Hong Kong but also contributing to the conservation efforts of this beloved species.