Ying Ying Becomes Oldest Panda to Give Birth

Ying Ying, a 19-year-old giant panda at Ocean Park in Hong Kong, has made history by becoming the oldest known first-time panda mother after giving birth to twins, a male and a female, just a day before her birthday. The births, which took place after a strenuous five-hour labor, mark the first instance of twin panda births in Hong Kong. As a vulnerable species, giant pandas face significant challenges in reproduction, with pregnancies often difficult to detect and females only ovulating once a year. Both cubs are currently in fragile condition, especially the female, who requires special care due to lower body temperature and weaker cries. Ocean Park officials have emphasized the rarity of this event and expressed gratitude to both the local and mainland Chinese support that facilitated the births. Visitors will have to wait several months to meet the cubs as they receive round-the-clock care.