In Hong Kong, a giant panda named Ying Ying gave birth to twin cubs, making her the world’s oldest first-time panda mother at nearly 19 years old.
The cubs, a boy and a girl, were born at Ocean Park, just one day before Ying Ying’s birthday. This event is especially rare because giant pandas often struggle to reproduce as they age.
Ying Ying and her partner Le Le are the second pair of pandas gifted to Hong Kong by China. The birth is seen as a significant achievement, considering the difficulties pandas face during pregnancy and childbirth. The twins are currently fragile, with the female cub needing extra care due to a lower body temperature and weaker cries.
Ocean Park has announced that the public will have to wait a few months before seeing the newborn pandas. Hong Kong leader John Lee thanked China for their support and announced that the city would receive a third pair of pandas later this year.
