Shanghai Wild Animal Park has announced that its giant panda Qian Jin successfully delivered twins -- one male and one female -- on August 22, marking the first birth of second-generation giant pandas in the city.
According to the park, the female cub was born at 16:11, weighing 200 grams, followed by the male cub at 17:11, weighing 160 grams. As of Thursday, the female cub had reached 499.8 grams, while the male cub weighed 394.5 grams.
Both cubs have shown remarkable growth, steadily gaining weight and developing distinct physical characteristics. Most notably, the classic black markings around their eyes and ears have become increasingly visible.
A joint expert team from the park and China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda has been providing 24-hour monitoring to ensure the health and safety of the mother and cubs.
"China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda and Shanghai Wild Animal Park have jointly formed a highly professional care team. We closely observe and document every detail of their daily lives and behaviors," said Sun Wenxiao, a keeper at Shanghai Wild Animal Park.
The cubs are being alternately cared for by Qian Jin and other caretakers, allowing the mother to bond with both babies while also ensuring they receive necessary nutritional and medical support.
"We regularly swap the cubs so the mother can bond with both babies, and the cubs can both become familiar with their mother's embrace and feel her love," said Sun.
Both are now being breastfed, and the park will adjust feeding plans as they continue to develop.
The cubs will be introduced to the public at an appropriate time based on their growth progress.
This is the second pair of male and female panda twins born at the park since its establishment. Since 2016, the park has successfully bred eight giant pandas.
Shanghai welcomes newborn giant panda twins
