In Berlin, the panda once more delivers twin cubs.
These tiny creatures weigh less than 180 grams each and are currently residing at Berlin Zoo: Twin panda cubs have made their entrance into the world. The duo made their appearance on August 26 at 1:03 PM and 2:19 PM, as announced by the zoo. "Both cubs are in good health and are being affectionately tended to by their mother and an experienced panda care team round-the-clock." Now, the focus is on ensuring they complete their first critical days in good health.
The cubs weigh 162 grams and 134 grams, and they measure approximately 14 centimeters in length. They are almost naked, deaf, blind, and have a pinkish hue. Their distinctive black and white fur will emerge later. "I'm relieved that the two have entered the world in good health," shared Dr. Andreas Knieriem, the vet and zoo and animal park director, in a press statement. "The babies appear lively, and mother Meng Meng is providing them with tender care - a true testament to 'bear love'."
Hormone analyses every four hours
Wildlife reproductive biologist Jella Wauters from the Department of Reproductive Biology at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research had set up her mobile laboratory at the zoo in anticipation of the birth on August 18. She had been monitoring panda hormone levels with four-hour urine samples during several births, helping to predict the birth window accurately. "Ms. Wauters' expertise proved vital once again," Knieriem said, expressing his amazement at the advancements in hormone analysis research.
Two staff members from Chengdu Panda Base, China, assisted the zoo with caring for the cubs. With their extensive experience of about 20 births a year, they played a crucial role in monitoring the incubator and the temperature of the babies, as well as measuring and weighing them, much like in a Berlin hospital baby station. The incubator was a donation from the DRK clinics.
A 149-day gestation period
Meng Meng was artificially inseminated on March 26. Two heartbeats were detected on August 11 through ultrasound, and just eleven days later, the cubs were born. The zoo confirmed a gestation period of 149 days. For the first time, Meng Meng and her children will spend time in the secluded section of the panda enclosure, making them inaccessible to zoo visitors. Panda father Jiao Qing is not involved in raising the cubs, following natural practices, but visitors can still observe him in the Panda Garden.
Pandas naturally give birth to twins nearly half the time, but only nurse one cub in the wild. At the zoo, Meng Meng is being supported in caring for both twins. Panda milk is exceptionally rich in energy, and after birth, panda cubs grow at an impressive rate. Eleven-year-old Meng Meng had her first set of cubs in 2019 - Pit and Paule, who captured the hearts of zoo visitors, but returned to China at the end of the previous year.
Similar to their parents, the cubs are part of China's People's Republic, which shares such pandas as part of a diplomatic initiative. Fewer than 2,000 adult giant pandas inhabit their natural environment. Therefore, every single cub is a significant contribution to the conservation efforts for this endangered species, the zoo emphasized.
The twin panda cubs are currently residing at The Zoo, where they are receiving round-the-clock care from a dedicated panda care team. For the first time, Meng Meng and her twin cubs will spend time in a secluded section of The Zoo, which is inaccessible to visitors.
