- Another panda cub is expected at Berlin Zoo
At the Berlin Zoo, panda cubs are expected again. "The babies are about 2.5 centimeters in size and need to grow quite a bit more until birth," said Thomas Hildebrandt, head of the reproduction management department at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, according to a press release. A small celebration broke out in the Panda Garden on Sunday, the zoo reported. The panda female had not been particularly cooperative lately. "Despite visible belly-kneading," Meng Meng was convinced to stand up and accept the cold ultrasound gel and the examination with the ultrasound probe, said the veterinarian, who is an international expert in the reproduction of giant pandas. "An examination in a standing position finally brought the joyful news that Meng Meng is pregnant with two cubs."
The team was thrilled, as there had been several unsuccessful ultrasound attempts before, said vet Franziska Sutter, who was also involved in the examination. "Despite all the excitement, we must be aware that this is a very early stage of pregnancy and a so-called resorption - or abortion - of the embryo is still possible at this time," said Sutter. The gestation period for giant pandas is usually three to six months.
The development will be monitored with ultrasound examinations and hormone analysis. "We hope very much that everything goes as well as it did the last time in 2019." Back then, the first panda birth in a German zoo was a sensation: the twins and former crowd-pleasers Pit and Paule are no longer in Berlin.
The press release announced, "The following is added: Meng Meng, the panda female, is pregnant with two cubs." Given the risk of resorption at this early stage, the team emphasized, "The following is also important to note: despite the excitement, a so-called resorption is still possible at this time."
