Historic Birth of Twin Pandas at Ocean Park Hong Kong

Historic Birth of Twin Pandas at Ocean Park

Ying Ying, a beloved giant panda residing at a theme park in Hong Kong, has made headlines by giving birth to twins conceived through natural mating. This remarkable event brings joy to conservationists dedicated to the preservation of this vulnerable species, known for its low reproductive rates.

Ying Ying’s twins were born just one day shy of her 19th birthday, making her the oldest giant panda on record to give birth for the first time, as reported by Ocean Park, where she lives. These cubs are also the first pandas to be born in Hong Kong, marking a significant milestone for the city.

Paulo Pong, chairman of the Ocean Park Corporation, expressed his excitement, calling the births “thrilling news” and highlighting the rarity of such an event, particularly given Ying Ying’s advanced age. Although pandas in captivity can live up to 30 years, the typical lifespan in the wild ranges from 14 to 20 years.

Ying Ying and her mate, Le Le, previously captured public attention when they mated naturally in 2020 after 13 years of unsuccessful attempts in captivity. This occurrence took place during a period when the amusement park was closed to visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the mating, there was a period of anticipation, but hopes were dashed when the park later confirmed that Ying Ying was not pregnant after all.

This time, however, the park opted for a more cautious approach, keeping their hopes about a potential pregnancy under wraps. Observations made by Ying Ying’s caretakers at the end of July indicated that she was eating less and sleeping more — both potential signs of pregnancy. Moreover, shifts in her hormone levels further fueled speculation. Determining whether a panda is pregnant can be quite challenging, as their gestation period ranges from 72 to 324 days, and ultrasound scans can only confirm the presence of cubs in utero about two weeks before birth. Ultimately, an ultrasound conducted on Sunday confirmed her pregnancy.

On Thursday, Ocean Park celebrated Ying Ying’s birthday with a festive party, featuring frozen treats crafted by Häagen-Dazs, flavored with bamboo, sweet potato, and carrot. Following the celebration, Ying Ying’s water broke that night, and she exhibited understandable nervousness as a first-time mother. For the next five hours, she experienced labor pains, twisting and turning on the ground.

At 2:05 a.m. and 3:27 a.m., Ying Ying welcomed a female and male cub, weighing 4.3 ounces and 4 ounces, respectively — both within the normal range for newborn pandas. Currently, the twins are receiving round-the-clock intensive care from Ocean Park staff, supported by experts from the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda.

“Both cubs are currently very fragile and need time to stabilize, especially the female cub, who has a lower body temperature, weaker cries, and lower food intake after birth,” the park stated. Names for the adorable newborns have yet to be announced, and the community eagerly anticipates updates on their progress.