Chinese Zoo Welcomes Rare Birth Of Panda Triplets

A southern Chinese Zoo has celebrated the extremely rare birth of surviving panda triplets which is the first time this has ever happened.

The triplets were born to a mother named Juxio and arrived on July 29th but the Chimelong Safari Park where the triplets were born only announced the birth on August 13th because they were worried the triplets may not survive. Panda cubs have very high rates of mortality the zoo said in a statement.

Births of singles and twins are very common for pandas however it is extremely rare for triplets according to San Diego Zoo’s Christina Simmons.

“In the wild, it is rare for a panda mother to be able to raise more than one infant, and so multiple births result in mortality of the additional youngsters. This occurs because baby pandas are very small and undeveloped and need constant attention. It is difficult for the mother to be able to provide this care for more than one [cub].” Ms. Simmons said.

Chinese zoos traditionally wait 100 days before they name the baby pandas so as to avoid people becoming too attached to the tiny creatures who are born blind and who need their mothers to survive. The zoo has not announced the genders of the cubs yet and is also waiting before making an announcement.

After the birth of the triplets, their mother was so exhausted, workers at the zoo placed the cubs in incubators enabling Juxiao to rest. Fortunately the three cubs are now nursing from their mother the zoo said.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland also shared some good news recently announcing the pregnancy of a female panda named Tian Tian through artificial insemination.

Tian Tian was inseminated by a team of experts in mid April during the period when pandas usually mate. Experts will continue to monitor her pregnancy and will examine protein and hormone levels present in her urine, though they cannot be completely sure Tian Tian is pregnant until she gives birth.