Seven giant panda cubs steal hearts
Cuteness alert.
In 2012, seven giant panda cubs were born at the Chengdu Panda Base in Chengdu, China's Sichuan province.
The "cutest panda photo ever" of the seven adorable cubs, named Oreo, Xiao Qiao, Si Yi, Yuan Run, Miao Miao and twins Cheng Shuang and Cheng Dui, napping together is melting hearts worldwide.
"Pambassador finalist Melissa Katz from the U.S. formally announced the new additions today in Chengdu and all the cubs are in good health and were photographed together for the first time," Alejandro Grau, a spokesperson for the reserve, told Discovery News of the baby boom.
Earlier in the year, the Chengdu Panda Base announced its search for thee "Pambassadors," a dream job for panda-lovers that involves a year-long Global Panda Conservation Tour.
"I'm very excited to announce this big news, and with my fellow pambassador finalist friends be the first people to photograph all these babies together," Katz, a field hockey coach from Tinton Falls, N.J., said in a press release.
Dr Zhang Zhihe, director of the Chengdu Panda Base, told the Independent, "We are delighted that 2012 have been such a bumper year for panda cubs at the Chengdu Panda Base. The birth of so many baby giant pandas is a testament to the success of our breeding programme."
"Tourists can visit these seven panda cubs at the Sunshine and Moon Nursery House at the Chengdu Panda Base," CNNGo reports, adding that visitors are currently not allowed to hold them.
Since it's establishment in 1987, 124 giant panda cubs have been born at Chengdu Base, the National Post reports. Eighty-eight of those cubs survived, and 83 remain at the base.
"In 1996, the captive giant panda population was 130," Rebecca Snyder, curator of mammals at Zoo Atlanta told Discovery News. "Now it is at 300 worldwide."
China Celebrates Birth of 8 Giant Panda Cubs
China is experiencing a giant panda baby boom, given that eight new cubs were born this year at the world's largest giant panda reserve, the Chengdu Panda Base.
"Pambassador finalist Melissa Katz from the U.S. formally announced the new additions today in Chengdu and all the cubs are in good health and were photographed together for the first time," Alejandro Grau, a spokesperson for the reserve, told Discovery News.
DISCOVERY NEWS: Zoo Panda Cubs Face Tough Beginnings
Previously we told you about the "pambassador" program. Congratulations to Katz on becoming a finalist. And clearly it is time to pass around the blue and pink cigars, although black and white colored ones might be more appropriate.
Seven of the eight baby pandas were born in Chengdu. The eighth, born of a Chengdu Panda Base mother, was born at the Wakayama Adventure Zoo in Japan. The names of the eight babies are: Oreo, Xiao Qiao, Si Yi, Yuan Run, Miao Miao, You Bin, and twins Cheng Shuang and Cheng Dui.
The oldest is Oreo, who was born on the opening day of the London Olympics. Oreo weighed less than a half of a pound at birth, but now is a furry and chubby 13 pounds. (Adults can weigh up to 353 pounds.)
The eight new baby cubs bring the total number of giant pandas in captivity at the Chengdu Panda Base to 113, making it the biggest group of artificially bred pandas in the world.
DISCOVERY NEWS: Giant Panda Habitat May Vanish
Although giant pandas once roamed over a large portion of Asia, animal experts currently estimate the overall population at only 1,600. The giant panda is therefore a seriously endangered species, so each birth gives us reason to celebrate.
Grau shared that infancy is a crucial stage in panda development, when the babies must stay close to their mothers for nourishment and support. After 1.5-2 years of development with their mothers, the young cubs will enter a gradual training program with the long-term goal of reintroduction into their natural habitat.
Regarding the eight cubs: "I’m very excited to announce this big news, and with my fellow pambassador finalist friends be the first people to photograph all these babies together," Katz, a field hockey coach from Tinton Falls, N.J., was quoted as saying in a press release.
She's in Chengdu for the next week with the other pambassador finalists, learning about panda conservation. You can see her in the pic below.
Here's little Si Yi, shortly after birth:
This photo shows Oreo:
The three winners of the Pambassador competition will be announced on November 17.
(Images: Chengdu Panda Base)
In 2012, seven giant panda cubs were born at the Chengdu Panda Base in Chengdu, China's Sichuan province.
The "cutest panda photo ever" of the seven adorable cubs, named Oreo, Xiao Qiao, Si Yi, Yuan Run, Miao Miao and twins Cheng Shuang and Cheng Dui, napping together is melting hearts worldwide.
"Pambassador finalist Melissa Katz from the U.S. formally announced the new additions today in Chengdu and all the cubs are in good health and were photographed together for the first time," Alejandro Grau, a spokesperson for the reserve, told Discovery News of the baby boom.
Earlier in the year, the Chengdu Panda Base announced its search for thee "Pambassadors," a dream job for panda-lovers that involves a year-long Global Panda Conservation Tour.
"I'm very excited to announce this big news, and with my fellow pambassador finalist friends be the first people to photograph all these babies together," Katz, a field hockey coach from Tinton Falls, N.J., said in a press release.
Dr Zhang Zhihe, director of the Chengdu Panda Base, told the Independent, "We are delighted that 2012 have been such a bumper year for panda cubs at the Chengdu Panda Base. The birth of so many baby giant pandas is a testament to the success of our breeding programme."
"Tourists can visit these seven panda cubs at the Sunshine and Moon Nursery House at the Chengdu Panda Base," CNNGo reports, adding that visitors are currently not allowed to hold them.
Since it's establishment in 1987, 124 giant panda cubs have been born at Chengdu Base, the National Post reports. Eighty-eight of those cubs survived, and 83 remain at the base.
"In 1996, the captive giant panda population was 130," Rebecca Snyder, curator of mammals at Zoo Atlanta told Discovery News. "Now it is at 300 worldwide."
China Celebrates Birth of 8 Giant Panda Cubs
China is experiencing a giant panda baby boom, given that eight new cubs were born this year at the world's largest giant panda reserve, the Chengdu Panda Base."Pambassador finalist Melissa Katz from the U.S. formally announced the new additions today in Chengdu and all the cubs are in good health and were photographed together for the first time," Alejandro Grau, a spokesperson for the reserve, told Discovery News.
DISCOVERY NEWS: Zoo Panda Cubs Face Tough Beginnings
Previously we told you about the "pambassador" program. Congratulations to Katz on becoming a finalist. And clearly it is time to pass around the blue and pink cigars, although black and white colored ones might be more appropriate.
Seven of the eight baby pandas were born in Chengdu. The eighth, born of a Chengdu Panda Base mother, was born at the Wakayama Adventure Zoo in Japan. The names of the eight babies are: Oreo, Xiao Qiao, Si Yi, Yuan Run, Miao Miao, You Bin, and twins Cheng Shuang and Cheng Dui.
The oldest is Oreo, who was born on the opening day of the London Olympics. Oreo weighed less than a half of a pound at birth, but now is a furry and chubby 13 pounds. (Adults can weigh up to 353 pounds.)
The eight new baby cubs bring the total number of giant pandas in captivity at the Chengdu Panda Base to 113, making it the biggest group of artificially bred pandas in the world.
DISCOVERY NEWS: Giant Panda Habitat May Vanish
Although giant pandas once roamed over a large portion of Asia, animal experts currently estimate the overall population at only 1,600. The giant panda is therefore a seriously endangered species, so each birth gives us reason to celebrate.
Grau shared that infancy is a crucial stage in panda development, when the babies must stay close to their mothers for nourishment and support. After 1.5-2 years of development with their mothers, the young cubs will enter a gradual training program with the long-term goal of reintroduction into their natural habitat.
Regarding the eight cubs: "I’m very excited to announce this big news, and with my fellow pambassador finalist friends be the first people to photograph all these babies together," Katz, a field hockey coach from Tinton Falls, N.J., was quoted as saying in a press release.
She's in Chengdu for the next week with the other pambassador finalists, learning about panda conservation. You can see her in the pic below.
Here's little Si Yi, shortly after birth:
This photo shows Oreo:
The three winners of the Pambassador competition will be announced on November 17.
(Images: Chengdu Panda Base)
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