Published on : 29/08/2024
Ying Ying (盈盈), a giant panda at Ocean Park Hong Kong, recently gave birth to a set of twins, which are the first "Made in Hong Kong" giant pandas in history.
The entire city is very interested in the wellbeing of this pair, and the good news is, they have safely passed the critical "hydration period" and are now growing their "black eyes" and "little vest".
Native HK panda twins developing "black eyes" and "little vests"
According to the latest information released by Ocean Park on social media, the black fur of the brother and sister is becoming more distinct, and they have gained weight since birth, growing day by day.
Ocean Park also mentioned that they can drink up to about 10 grams of milk per meal, with a total of 6 meals a day, which indicates quite a good appetite.
In an interview with a newspaper, the chairman of Ocean Park, PONG Kin-yee (龐建貽), also revealed that the sister is currently slightly larger than the brother, but the brother has especially dense black fur, with prominent "black eyes" and black ears. The dark pattern on the skin of his back even looks like he is wearing a black "little vest".
In addition to their health conditions, the people of Hong Kong also want to know when they can meet the native Hong Kong giant pandas.
In response, PONG Kin-yee said that the park plans to follow the approach of Macao's previous panda twins, waiting at least until they are half a year old in mid-February next year before arranging a public meeting.
On the other hand, the new pair of giant pandas gifted to Hong Kong by the central government of China are expected to make their debut in December.
PONG Kin-yee jokingly said that the people of Hong Kong can first visit this young pair of giant pandas, which will surely become popular.
However, to avoid scaring the giant pandas with a large influx of tourists, the initial opening will limit the number of visitors to give them time to adjust. There will be no arrangement for physical contact, with the welfare of the animals as the priority.
Giant panda Ying Ying, a first-time mother, has much to learn
As the Hong Kong-born pandas are growing healthily, how is Ying Ying, the first-time mom, doing?
Ocean Park recently released Ying Ying's "First-Time Mom Practicing Diary", mentioning that the nursing team prepared a pink doll smeared with the scent of the babies for Ying Ying to help her get used to the caring methods and build a mother-child bond.
Ying Ying initially just curiously stared at the pink doll on the ground, then cautiously sniffed it and gently picked it up to care for it after she detected the smell of her children.
Don't underestimate this pink doll. It helps the nursing team observe and assess Ying Ying's behaviour, and it will be easier to return the twins to her personal care in the future.
Now Ying Ying's parenting behaviour is improving, and the nursing team is gradually increasing the time for Ying Ying to take care of her children.
Ying Ying, equivalent to a 57-year-old human, is the oldest giant panda on record to have her first successful birth. As as a senior mom, Ying Ying's postpartum recovery is not easy and much slower than younger mothers.
Ocean Park said that while human mothers should enjoy some roasted rice tea during their recovery period, and Ying Ying would drink her homemade "apple juice". These sweetened water encourage Ying Ying to stay hydrated, helping her recover faster and produce more milk to nurse the cubs.
Read more: Giant Panda｜Understand 5 facts about Hong Kong-born pandas
Read more: Warm memories of pandas gifted to HK by central government
