A giant panda at Ouwehands Dierenpark in the Netherlands has given birth to a cub, bringing hope to the captive population of these vulnerable mammals. The zoo announced the birth on Monday, revealing that the gender of the cub is yet to be determined. The birth was captured on video, showing mother panda Wu Wen in the maternity den with her newborn.
The zoo expressed joy and pride in being able to contribute to the conservation of this endangered species through natural breeding. The video footage shows Wu Wen giving birth in a bed of hay, accompanied by distinct sounds signaling the arrival of the cub. The mother panda can be seen carrying the cub in her mouth, showcasing her maternal instincts.
Tragically, a second cub was born an hour later but did not survive. Despite this loss, the surviving cub is thriving under the care of its mother. This new cub is the second to be born at the Dutch zoo, following the birth of Fan Xing in 2020. Fan Xing, born as part of China's 'panda diplomacy' program, was later sent to China to participate in a breeding program aimed at preserving the species.
China has a long history of gifting pandas to friendly nations, with the recent shift towards loaning pandas to zoos on commercial terms. This practice has been instrumental in raising awareness about panda conservation and supporting breeding efforts to ensure the survival of these beloved animals.
