Hong Kong celebrates first locally born giant panda twins
Ying Ying, 19, becomes oldest first-time mother of giant panda twins
Hong Kong has celebrated the birth of its first locally born giant pandas, announced by the theme park housing them. On Thursday, Ying Ying became the world’s oldest first-time mother of her kind, giving birth to twins—a male and a female—just before her 19th birthday at Ocean Park. Ying Ying and her partner Le Le are the second pair of pandas given to Hong Kong by China since the city’s return to Chinese rule in 1997. Pandas are often seen as China’s unofficial national mascot, and the panda loan programme is a notable part of Beijing’s soft-power diplomacy.
Ocean Park highlighted the reproductive challenges giant pandas face, particularly as they age. Panda pregnancies are notoriously hard to detect. Ying Ying showed signs of pregnancy in late July, such as a reduced appetite, needing more rest, and hormonal changes. Her pregnancy was confirmed on Sunday. Labour symptoms appeared on Wednesday night when her amniotic fluid broke. After over five hours, the twins were born on Thursday morning.
The park noted that both cubs are fragile, especially the female, who has a lower body temperature, weaker cries, and lower food intake. It will be several months before they are ready for public viewing. Ocean Park Corp. chairman Paulo Pong expressed gratitude to the local animal care team and mainland Chinese experts for their ongoing support. He emphasised the rarity of the birth, given Ying Ying’s age.
🐼🇭🇰 DERNIERE MINUTE 🔔
La femelle #panda #YingYing (#盈盈) a donné naissance ce 15 août à des jumeaux, 1 mâle et 1 femelle, au parc zoologique #OceanPark à Hong Kong ! C'est la première fois que ce parc enregistre une naissance de pandas !
📸 @OCEAN_PARKhttps://t.co/QYVgSCHpvu pic.twitter.com/parFELeyOT
— www.panda.fr (@pandas_fr) August 15, 2024
Hong Kong leader John Lee thanked the central government for gifting the pandas in 2007, seeing it as a sign of Beijing’s support for the city. Hong Kong operates under its own governing and judicial system, though a 2020 national security law has been used to target pro-democracy activists. In July, Lee announced that Hong Kong would receive another pair of pandas from China, expected to arrive this year. The first pair, An An and Jia Jia, arrived in 1999. Jia Jia, who died at 38 in 2016, holds the record as the oldest panda in captivity. Pandas live 18 to 20 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity, according to Guinness World Records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is Ying Ying?
Ying Ying is the oldest first-time mother giant panda, gave birth to twins at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park.
Why are pandas considered China’s unofficial national mascot?
They symbolize China and are part of Beijing’s soft-power diplomacy through international loans to zoos.
How old was Ying Ying when she gave birth?
Ying Ying was 19 years old when she gave birth to the twins.
When can visitors see the panda cubs?
Visitors will have to wait a few months for the panda cubs’ public debut.
What challenges do giant pandas face in reproduction?
Giant pandas have a notoriously difficult time reproducing, especially as they age, and pregnancies are hard to detect.
