- Newborn Pandchen - Another Adorable Cub Arrivals at Berlin Zoo
These tiny critters resemble miniature hamsters: The adorable panda cubs have made their debut at the Berlin Zoo, and they're thriving post-birth. The exciting event took place on Thursday morning, with mother panda Meng Meng exhibiting some restlessness before 10 a.m., subsequently giving birth. Describing the moment, zookeeper Ann-Katrin Hü̱bner shared a fascinating account:
"As slick as a wet fish in hand"
"We were engrossed in conversation, and suddenly, we could hear the cub's squeaks, signaling its arrival," she explained. The first cub was born at 1:03 p.m. Another cub followed shortly after, at 2:09 p.m., with Meng Meng immediately cradling both in her massive arms.
"They're practically nude. They're sporting a delicate, light-colored fur, completely pale with no dark spots yet," Hü̱bner continued. "They're robust and wriggle around in your hand, so you need to be extra cautious to avoid hurting them. They resemble a miniature hamster with extended limbs and a slippery-like feel, similar to a slick fish in hand."
A minor sensation
Naturally, everyone at the zoo is thrilled, as this is an exciting development. Germany has welcomed the second set of pandas born in its history. Congratulations poured in from Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner, the WWF, and China. Zoo director Andreas Knieriem expressed his delight: "Mother Meng Meng is enlightening us all on the true meaning of 'bear love' – she's nurturing her cubs tenderly." All eyes are currently on the cubs' crucial first days, the zoo announced.
The cubs are incredibly small, which is typical for giant pandas, noted biologist and panda curator Florian Sicks. They weigh approximately 169 grams and 136 grams and measure about 14 centimeters in length. They have no hearing, sight, or ability to move independently – they even rely on their mother for help defecating and urinating, Sicks mentioned. In ten days, the cubs will double their weight, and by two months, they'll be capable of walking. Only at six months will they start eating bamboo. Pandas' milk is highly nutritious.
Meng Meng is an experienced mother, confirmed veterinarian Franziska Sutter. She instinctively takes care of her cubs just as a natural mother would. In 2019, she gave birth to twins, Pit and Paule, who have since returned to China. Like their parents, the cubs also belong to China, on loan as part of 'panda diplomacy'.
No appetite for the first 14 days
After the birth, Meng Meng was visibly exhausted and didn't eat. Sicks explained that this is not uncommon, even in the wild, "Even in their natural habitat, giant pandas don't eat for the initial 14 days due to the underdeveloped cubs needing constant motherly care."
Meng Meng is receiving assistance from two Chinese caretakers from the Chengdu Panda Base, who have been there since the insemination on March 26, having extensive experience to help her. They guide Meng Meng on correctly positioning the cubs for nursing.
It remains uncertain how much the cubs are drinking, shared zookeeper Hü̱bner, "You can't identify it since they're fully covered by their arms while nursing." Due to this, the cubs are weighed regularly.
Wildlife Endocrinologist Jella Wauters from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research had accurately predicted the birth time using hormone monitoring. Wauters has witnessed the birth of giant pandas before but considers each experience unique. "They are an awe-inspiring species." Approximately half of the pandas deliver twins, Wauters added.
Visitors will have to wait
Meng Meng and her cubs will reside in the back area of the Panda house for the time being, which means visitors have to wait to catch a glimpse of the animals, Knieriem disclosed, hinting at the possibility of seeing them before Christmas. As there are fewer than 2,000 adult pandas in their habitat, each individual cub plays a significant role in preserving this endangered species, according to the zoo.
The zookeeper, Ann-Katrin Hübahner, mentioned that mother panda Meng Meng immediately cradled both newborn cubs in her massive arms after giving birth.In 2019, experienced mother Meng Meng gave birth to twins, Pit and Paule, in Berlin, who have since returned to China as part of 'panda diplomacy'.
