Ying Ying, a Hong Kong-born giant panda, introduced her family to the public on February 16 at Ocean Park Hong Kong. Her two cubs—a male and female—now six months old, welcomed visitors for the very first time, each weighing around 12 kilograms. The event honored a significant milestone for the far-beloved attraction. Visitors lined up around the block, thrilled at the prospect of saying hello to the panda family.
Ocean Park Hong Kong has made their facility the home of Ying Ying, her cubs, and her father, Le Le. Even though Ying Ying and her offspring remain in family units, Le Le lives alone, which honors the giant panda’s natural inclination to roam alone. Their family has turned into a huge draw for the park! Kicking off on March 22, guests will have the opportunity to spend three minutes with them in groups of 40.
Ying Ying has been caring for her cubs very responsibly. She breastfed them and showered them with love during their intro. On Wednesday, witnesses watched as Ying Ying kissed her female cub on the cheek while it napped on a wooden drying rack. Then, she curled up around her little one, licking her tummy and gently soothing the newborn, demonstrating that sweet mother-baby bond.
"Giant panda cubs grow up best nurtured by their mothers. They usually won't live independently until two to three years old," said Howard Chuk, head of zoological operations and conservation at Ocean Park Hong Kong.
What of Ying Ying’s cubs’ official names, you ask? A city-wide public naming contest will decide their names, which should be announced in the first half of 2017. This initiative has generated excitement among panda enthusiasts, eager to contribute to the cubs' identities.
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