World's oldest first-time panda mom gives birth to twins

A giant panda has given birth to Hong Kong’s first set of twin cubs, officials said, making her the world’s oldest first-time panda mother.

HONG KONG — A giant panda has given birth to Hong Kong’s first set of twin cubs, officials said in a surprise announcement, making her the world’s oldest first-time panda mother.

The panda, Ying Ying, gave birth to one male and one female cub on Thursday, according to Ocean Park, the theme park where she and her partner Le Le have lived since 2007. The twins were born one day before Ying Ying turned 19, the equivalent of 57 in human years.

“This birth is a true rarity, especially considering Ying Ying is the oldest giant panda on record to have successfully given birth for the first time,” Paulo Pong, chairman of Ocean Park Corporation, said in a statement late Thursday.

The female cub was born first weighing 122 grams (4.3 ounces), followed by the male cub more than an hour later at 112 grams (3.95 oz.). The park said the cubs were under 24-hour intensive care and would not make their public debut for a few months.

The cubs are “currently very fragile and need time to stabilize,” the park said, “especially the female cub who has a lower body temperature, weaker cries and lower food intake.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/worlds-oldest-first-time-panda-mom-gives-birth-twins-rcna166857

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