South Korean zoo welcomes giant panda twins


Giant Panda Ai Bao with her newborn twins at Everland amusement park in Yongin, South Korea. - Reuters

SEOUL (Reuters): A South Korean zoo said on Tuesday (July 11) it had recently welcomed the first giant panda twins to be born in the country.

The twins, both female, were born at the Everland theme park near the capital Seoul on Friday, the zoo announced in a video on its YouTube channel.

"This feels like a great opportunity to call for better protection and preservation of pandas, which have become a symbol for endangered species," Donghee Chung, the head of the zoo, said.

The first twin weighed 180 grams (6.35 oz) and the second, which arrived nearly two hours later, weighed 140 grams.

Between 40% to 50% of panda births result in twins, Chung said.

China has been sending its black and white ambassadors abroad in a sign of goodwill since the 1950s as part of what is known as ‘panda diplomacy’.

The birth of the twins comes nearly three years after Fu Bao, the first panda to be born in South Korea, came into the world with the same parents Ai Bao and Le Bao.

"Compared to when Fu Bao was born, there are two of them this time and I think (the parents) must be twice as happy," zoo keeper Cherwon Kang said.

The mother Ai Bao's labour has been smoother than during her first pregnancy, Kang said, adding that he felt moved by the way she handled the delivery and on the display of motherly love.

Fu Bao is due to be returned to China by July next year at the latest, the zoo said.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

South Korea , panda , twins

   

Next In Aseanplus News

Actor Rosyam Nor 'failed twice' as a farmer, was successful at the third attempt
China court sentences journalist Dong Yuyu to seven years on spy charges, says family
How Malaysian beauty queen Sandra Lim got into the Top 30 of Miss Universe 2024
Zayn Rayyan’s parents seek to have neglect charges dropped
Hat Yai announced a danger zone as floods worsen
South Korean firefighter holds on to truck driver for 45 minutes to save him from falling off bridge
One-off property tax rebate in 2025; vast majority of Singapore home owners will see lower tax bill
Floods: 30 rivers nationwide at danger level
Yen rallies on rate hike bets as equity markets swing
Philippines' Marcos says debate over impeachment of VP Sara Duterte a 'storm in a teacup'

Others Also Read