Giant panda Ai Bao holds its newly born cub in its mouth in Panda World in Everland, Gyeonggi, on June 10.EVERLAND
Korea'sfamous panda family just got a little bigger. Ai Bao, the mother of the social media viral Fu Bao gave birth to a female on June 3, according to Everland on Wednesday.
Ai Bao gave birth at 10:53 a.m. after two hours of labor. The cub weighed 171 grams (6 ounces), similar to Fu Bao, who weighed 197 grams, and his siblings Rui Bao, who weighed 180 grams, and Hui Bao, who weighed 140 grams when they were born.
The newest cub is the third panda born through natural breeding in Korea, following Fu Bao's birth in July 2020, and the twins Rui Bao and Hui Bao’s birth in July 2023.
Both the cub and Ai Bao are in good health and are being monitored around the clock by zookeepers and veterinarians, according to Everland.
"Drawing on her experience from previous births, Ai Bao has been caring for the cub with ease," said a source from Everland. "Panda World zookeepers, veterinarians and a specialist keeper dispatched from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda are doing their utmost to support Ai Bao's recovery and assist with child care."
Twin pandas Rui Bao and Hui Bao at their enclosure, the Panda Second House, in EverlandSAMSUNG C&T CORPORATION
Everland's Panda World is currently the only home to a giant panda family in Korea. The company found the birth especially meaningful as it is the 10-year anniversary of Panda World's opening and the launch of joint Korea-China panda conservation research.
Giant pandas are notoriously difficult to breed naturally because females are fertile only once a year and for a very short period.
"I am deeply grateful and delighted to welcome another new life following Fu Bao, Rui Bao, and Hui Bao," said Kang Cheol-won, an Everland zookeeper well-known for caring for the pandas. "We will care for the panda family with all our hearts so they can continue bringing comfort and happiness to people across the country."
A newly born giant panda cub rests in Panda World in Everland, Gyeonggi, on June 10.EVERLAND
The cub has not yet been named.
"We're likely to turn to the public for help naming the cub through submissions on social media, just as we did with Fu Bao and the twins," said an Everland source.
Ai Bao holds its new cub in its mouth in Panda World in Everland, Gyeonggi, on June 10.EVERLAND
Everland said it will determine when to unveil the cub to the public after monitoring its growth and development, such as its ability to walk independently and its ability to adapt to the new environment.
Until then, updates on the cub's growth and the panda family's daily life will be shared through Everland's official social media and YouTube channel.
