World's oldest first-time panda mom gives birth to twins
Like all panda cubs, the twins were born small, pink and blind.
Twin panda cubs born to world's oldest first-time panda mom
The first giant panda twins to be born in Hong Kong, the newborn cubs include one male and one female weighing about 4 ounces each. (Courtesy: Ocean Park Hong Kong)
HONG KONG – Giant panda Ying Ying gave birth on Thursday to two cubs, becoming the oldest giant panda in history to successfully become a first-time mother, according to Ocean Park Hong Kong.
The cubs were born one day shy of Ying Ying’s 19th birthday. For reference, the Smithsonian National Zoo said giant pandas reach breeding maturity between the ages of 4 and 7.
Ying Ying.
(Ocean Park Hong Kong / FOX Weather)
"Giant pandas have a notoriously difficult time reproducing, especially as they age," Ocean Park officials said. "However, Ying Ying's perseverance and expert care from the Ocean Park team have resulted in the arrival of the twin cubs."
FIRST GIANT PANDAS TO ENTER US IN 21 YEARS MAKE THEIR DEBUT
The first giant panda twins to be born in Hong Kong, the newborn cubs include one male and one female weighing about 4 ounces each. According to the Smithsonian, apart from marsupial babies, a giant panda baby is the smallest mammal newborn relative to its mother's size.
![The twins, with the boy on the left and the girl on the right.]()
Image 1 of 4The twins, with the boy on the left and the girl on the right. (Ocean Park Hong Kong)
![The male panda newborn.]()
Image 2 of 4The male panda newborn. (Ocean Park Hong Kong)
![The male panda newborn.]()
Image 3 of 4The male panda newborn. (Ocean Park Hong Kong)
![The twins, with the girl on the left and the boy on the right.]()
Image 4 of 4The twins, with the girl on the left and the boy on the right. (Ocean Park Hong Kong)
Like all panda cubs, the twins were born small, pink and blind.
Park officials said the animals are currently fragile and are under 24-hour intensive care. A close eye is being kept on the female, as she has a lower body temperature, weaker cries and has eaten less food after being born.
The cubs will make their debut to the public after a few months, park officials noted.
The male panda newborn.
(Ocean Park Hong Kong / FOX Weather)
One of the reproduction challenges pandas face includes females only ovulating once a year and only for two to three days, the Smithsonian said. This has contributed to complications with increasing the panda population.