SEOUL: South Korea’s zoo announced Tuesday that it recently welcomed the nation’s first twin giant pandas.
The twins were born female at Everland theme park near the capital Seoul on Friday, the zoo announced in a video on its YouTube channel.
“I think this is a great opportunity to advocate for greater protection and conservation of the giant panda, which has become a symbol of endangered species,” said Dong-hee Chung, director of the zoo.
The first twin weighed 180 grams (6.35 ounces), the second arrived almost two hours later and weighed 140 grams.
According to Chong, 40 to 50 percent of panda births are twins.
Since the 1950s, China has sent black and white ambassadors abroad as a sign of goodwill as part of its so-called “panda diplomacy.”
The birth of the twins comes nearly three years after South Korea’s first-born panda, Fu Bao, was born with the same parents, Ai Bao and Le Bao.
“Compared to when Fu Bao was born, this time there are two, so[the parents]should be twice as happy,” said zoo keeper Chawong Kang.
Her mother Ai Bao’s delivery was smoother than during her first pregnancy, Kang said, adding that she was touched by her handling of the birth and the display of maternal love.
According to the zoo, Fu Bao will be returned to China by July next year at the latest.
