Giant Panda Gives Birth to Twin Cubs, a First in South Korea.
Seoul, South Korea – A giant panda named Ai Bao has successfully given birth to twin cubs at Everland theme park, located near Seoul.
The announcement was made by the park’s operator, Samsung C&T Resort Group, on Tuesday, marking the first time that panda twins have been born in South Korea.
According to the resort group, Ai Bao delivered two female cubs last Friday. Both the mother and her newborns are reported to be in good health.
Decades of conservation efforts and captivity studies have contributed to saving the giant panda species from extinction. The population has increased from fewer than 1,000 at one point to over 1,800 individuals in the wild and in captivity.
Giant pandas in the wild have an average life expectancy of around 15 years, while those in captivity have been known to live up to 38 years.
The resort group stated that it will closely monitor the health and growth of the cubs before determining when they will be introduced to the public. In the meantime, the group plans to showcase the adorable cubs through social media platforms.
Ai Bao and her male mate, Le Bao, both giant pandas, arrived at the park in 2016 as part of a 15-year lease program from China. In 2020, Ai Bao gave birth to a female cub named Fu Bao.
Prior to the recent birth, Ai Bao, Le Bao, and Fu Bao were the only pandas in South Korea. Everland’s Panda World, where the three pandas reside, has attracted approximately 14 million visitors, as reported by the resort group.
This exciting event brings joy to conservationists and panda enthusiasts, highlighting the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve this beloved species.