In a heartwarming and rare occurrence, Hong Kong’s giant panda Ying Ying has become the world’s oldest first-time mother at 19 years old. She gave birth to twin cubs, a male and a female, on Thursday at Ocean Park, just a day before her birthday.
Ying Ying’s remarkable achievement is equivalent to a human giving birth at 57 years old. The fragile cubs require around-the-clock intensive care, and the park’s caretakers are working tirelessly to ensure their health and stability.
The female cub appears weaker than her brother, weighing only 122g, with a lower body temperature and weaker cries. The park has announced that the cubs will make their debut in a few months, and everyone is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to meet them.
Ying Ying and the cubs’ father, Le Le, successfully mated in March, a rare occurrence for giant pandas. The pair has been at Ocean Park since 2007, a gift from Beijing to Hong Kong.
China’s conservation efforts have helped shift the panda’s status from endangered to vulnerable, a testament to the country’s dedication to preserving this beloved species.
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