Giant panda gives birth at Taipei Zoo

Want China Times, CNA 2013-07-07

Yuan Yuan and baby panda. (Photo courtesy of Taipei Zoo)

Taipei Zoo was in joyful mood Saturday following the birth of a giant panda on the grounds.

The mother, Yuan Yuan, gave the birth at 8:05pm without a hitch, the zoo announced in a statement, saying that everyone who watched and recorded the delivery felt joyful, although it also admitted the burden on their shoulders has become heavier.

The statement said the baby panda weighs only around one 1,000th of its mother and that all indications are that it is a healthy baby.

Yuan Yuan picked up the baby in her mouth and brought it to her chest right after the birth, demonstrating dearly her care for the newborn, the statement said.

Lin Huei-chen of the zoo's press liaison affairs said it is too early to determine the baby's gender, but added that the zoo will publish the latest news of the mother and baby every day at 10:30am.

Yuan Yuan and her mate, Tuan Tuan, were gifted to Taiwan by China in 2008 as a cross-strait gesture of goodwill.

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