Giant Panda Ai Bao Gives Birth to Third Cub in South Korea

Ai Bao, a beloved giant panda at South Korea's Everland, has given birth to her third cub. The female panda, weighing 171 grams, arrived safely on June 3rd at Panda World in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, approximately two hours after Ai Bao began labor.

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Please look forward to the appearance of the little one who will become even cuter.

This birth is a significant event, marking the third successful natural giant panda reproduction in South Korea. It follows the birth of Fu Bao in 2020 and the twins Rui Bao and Hui Bao in 2023. Ai Bao is the mother of the popular Fu Bao, who was transferred to China in April. Both the new cub and Ai Bao are reported to be in good health.

The arrival of the new cub comes amid news that the twin pandas, Rui Bao and Hui Bao, may be sent back to China this winter. Under international agreements for endangered species, giant pandas born abroad must typically be sent to China for breeding programs before they turn four years old. The twins, born in July 2023, are expected to return earlier than their fourth birthday.

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We are thinking of preparing for their move around this winter to send Rui Bao and Hui Bao off without difficulty.

Kang Cheol-won, a zookeeper widely known as "Grandpa Fu Bao," mentioned in a YouTube video that preparations for the twins' departure might begin around winter. He cited potential hormonal changes related to breeding behavior in three-year-old pandas, which also affected Fu Bao. Everland is consulting with experts from South Korea and China to determine the exact timing for the twins' return, though no firm date has been set.

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Rui Bao and Hui Bao will also experience hormonal changes related to breeding behavior when they turn three next year, and Fu Bao also had a hard time because of that.