
![]() |
| The newborn twin cubs are seen in the picture. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] |
A seven-year-old panda gave birth to twin cubs at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan province on Monday.
According to base chief Zhang Zhihe, they are the first panda twins born in the world this year.
"Both cubs are female and weigh 118 grams and 70 grams respectively. They are healthy and their mother Ke Lin tried to embrace them after their birth," he said.
In 2013, Ke Lin reached a state of sexual arousal but refused natural sex. Researchers had to show her a video of pandas mating.
"Ke Lin finished watching the video and, to the surprise of researchers, did not refuse her partner Yong Yong and mated immediately but she did not become pregnant," Zhang said.
Again in 2014, Ke Lin had sex but failed to become pregnant.
In January, researchers artificially inseminated Ke Lin and late last month she began showing signs of being pregnant.
"She ate less bamboo shoots for 29 days. On Sunday she was restless. At around 3 am the next day she showed signs of delivery and gave birth nearly two hours later at 5.10am," said Huang Xiangming, a panda researcher at the base.
![]() |
Students take graduation photos in ancient costumes
Forbidden City collects evidence from nude photo shoot
Dragon boat race held to celebrate upcoming Duanwu Festival
Chinese students learn Duanwu customs in Hefei, Anhui
Abandoned village swallowed by nature
Graduation: the time to show beauty in strength
School life of students in a military college
Top 16 Chinese cities with the best air quality in 2014
Mysterious “sky road” in Mount Dawagengzha
Sad moment for Hong Kong democratic process
Top dogs: 12 cartoon canines that won our hearts
Shopping up a storm
Straight through the mountainsDay|Week