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Panda twins born in Atlanta zoo Panda twins born in Atlanta zoo
(2 months later)
A giant panda named Lun Lun has given birth at Zoo Atlanta to two cubs, the first twin pandas born in the United States since 1987.A giant panda named Lun Lun has given birth at Zoo Atlanta to two cubs, the first twin pandas born in the United States since 1987.
The 15-year-old panda gave birth on Monday, zoo spokeswoman Keisha Hines said. Zookeepers who had been anticipating only one cub based on a recent ultrasound were surprised.The 15-year-old panda gave birth on Monday, zoo spokeswoman Keisha Hines said. Zookeepers who had been anticipating only one cub based on a recent ultrasound were surprised.
There was no immediate report on the size or gender of the cubs, nor on their condition or that of their mother.There was no immediate report on the size or gender of the cubs, nor on their condition or that of their mother.
Giant pandas typically only cared for one cub when twins were born in the wild, which usually leds to only one of the twins surviving, Hines said.Giant pandas typically only cared for one cub when twins were born in the wild, which usually leds to only one of the twins surviving, Hines said.
Zookeepers said Lun Lun was caring for one of the cubs while animal management and veterinary teams cared for the other in a nursery centre. Officials said they would likely rotate the cubs to ensure each gets enough maternal nurturing.Zookeepers said Lun Lun was caring for one of the cubs while animal management and veterinary teams cared for the other in a nursery centre. Officials said they would likely rotate the cubs to ensure each gets enough maternal nurturing.
Zoo officials were working with animal care workers from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, where Lun Lun and her partner, Yang Yang, were born.Zoo officials were working with animal care workers from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, where Lun Lun and her partner, Yang Yang, were born.
"This is a success we share with all of our fellow zoological organisations working to understand and protect this iconic species, and we share our joy with our local community and with our colleagues in China," said Raymond B King, Zoo Atlanta's president and chief executive."This is a success we share with all of our fellow zoological organisations working to understand and protect this iconic species, and we share our joy with our local community and with our colleagues in China," said Raymond B King, Zoo Atlanta's president and chief executive.
Hines said giant pandas had a high mortality rate in the first few months after birth and the risk was greater with twins born.Hines said giant pandas had a high mortality rate in the first few months after birth and the risk was greater with twins born.
Lun Lun had been artificially inseminated in March and was under 24-hour observation by a camera providing a live video feed from her den.Lun Lun had been artificially inseminated in March and was under 24-hour observation by a camera providing a live video feed from her den.
Visitors would likely be able to visit the cubs later this year, Hines said.Visitors would likely be able to visit the cubs later this year, Hines said.
Yang Yang and the cubs' older brothers, Xi Lan, 4, and Po, 2 remained on exhibit and would not be housed with Lun Lun or the cubs. This separation was normal and occurred naturally in the wild, Hines said.Yang Yang and the cubs' older brothers, Xi Lan, 4, and Po, 2 remained on exhibit and would not be housed with Lun Lun or the cubs. This separation was normal and occurred naturally in the wild, Hines said.
Less than 1,600 giant pandas are believed to be living in the wild, she said.Less than 1,600 giant pandas are believed to be living in the wild, she said.
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