Panda lovers are excited and moved by the birth of two panda cubs, which are the “sweet fruit” of Ying Ying and her partner Le Le’s 10-year journey together.
Ying Ying, the beloved panda of Ocean Park (Hong Kong), gave birth to a pair of twins on the morning of August 15. The two cubs include one male and one female, both in stable health, according to SCMP.
Ying Ying (19 years old, equivalent to 57 years in human age) is the oldest panda in the world to give birth for the first time. (Photo: SCMP).
Ying Ying gave birth just one day before her 19th birthday, which is approximately 57 years in human age. She is also the oldest panda in the world to give birth for the first time. Ying Ying and Le Le mated naturally at Ocean Park in March, and the park kept the pregnancy a secret until one day after the cubs were born.
This event has thrilled those who adore Ying Ying, as the two cubs are the “sweet fruit” of Ying Ying and Le Le’s decade-long companionship.
The birth of the twins surprised the entire city. (Photo: Ocean Park).
Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, the Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Hong Kong, stated: “The panda cubs require special care as they are very small. Their temperature is being monitored, and they are being fed. Experts from Ocean Park and mainland China are handling this issue closely.”
Paulo Pong Kin-yee, chairman of Altaya Group and director of Ocean Park, mentioned that the arrival of the twins brings great joy to Hong Kong. He has repeatedly expressed gratitude for “this miraculous birth.”
“We are very fortunate; just as we were discussing bringing two giant pandas to Hong Kong, Ying Ying gave birth to twins. We are grateful for this miraculous event,” he remarked.
Pong noted that Ying Ying is spending most of her time resting after giving birth.
Howard Chuk Hau-chung, head of zoological operations and conservation at the park, explained that Ying Ying had a moody temperament during her pregnancy, which made it difficult for veterinarians to perform ultrasound examinations until the day before the twins were born. The female cub was born first, followed by the male.
A video posted on Saturday (July 18) showing a cub being fed. (Photo: Ocean Park).
Hau-chung revealed that “the first three or four days after birth are crucial for the panda cubs, during which they will experience slight weight loss. The cubs are currently very weak, especially the female. The female is weaker due to infrequent feeding, and her first cries upon birth indicated she was not as healthy as the male,” Hau-chung stated.
He pointed out that pandas born in the wild have a lower mortality rate, but Ying Ying’s twins will be cared for by a team of specialists.
The park anticipates unveiling the twins to the public in December, after their health stabilizes and they complete the necessary quarantine steps.
According to China’s “panda diplomacy” policy, a pair of adult pandas loaned to a country represents goodwill. However, any cubs born there must be returned to the mainland when they reach four years of age and remain the property of China.
Nevertheless, these lending agreements only apply to foreign countries, while Ying Ying and Le Le are a gift from Beijing to Hong Kong in 2007.
Pong stated that since the cubs were born in Hong Kong, they will remain in the city.
Hong Kong is currently home to many pandas. In addition to Ying Ying’s newly born twins, on July 1, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu announced that Beijing would send a new pair of giant pandas to Hong Kong to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the city’s return to China, noting that the pandas would arrive within a few months.
Excitement is rising as Hong Kong showcases more pandas. Tourism experts and lawmakers believe this will boost the tourism economy in Hong Kong in the future.
According to the Director of Ocean Park, the two cubs have inspired the staff with hopes of generating new revenue. Paulo Pong Kin-yee stated on Friday, August 16: “Regarding the panda economy, we are certainly considering every business opportunity to increase visitor numbers.”
