The latest news on Giant Panda "Shin Shin" and her cubs [33]

The latest news on Giant Panda Shin Shin and her cubs [33]
└─ 2022/01/04

We would like to inform you of the following regarding Giant Panda "Shin Shin" and her two cubs, "Xiao Xiao" and "Lei Lei," born on June 23, 2021.

Shinshin's current situation

There are no health problems with Shinshin.

Her diet mainly consists of bamboo and dwarf bamboo species such as Moso bamboo, Shino bamboo, and Madake bamboo, and she also readily eats panda dumplings, carrots, and apples as supplements. The amount of food given is adjusted as needed depending on Shin Shin's eating habits and her nursing of her cubs.

As part of preparations for her public debut in January 2022, since December 18th, Shin Shin has been allowed to freely move between the indoor exhibit and her sleeping area along with Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei. She is getting enough food and rest, and is spending her time calmly, playing with her offspring and nursing them.

Now that they have adjusted to their new environment, we began allowing zoo staff to observe them during practice sessions starting December 29, 2021. None of the three cubs showed any signs of being bothered by the staff, so we plan to continue these practice sessions privately while carefully monitoring the mother and cubs.

Xin Xin and her twins (left: Lei Lei, center: Xiaoxiao, both 194 days old)
(Date of photo: January 3, 2022)

Updates on Xiaoxiao and Leilei

Both dogs are in good health, and their weight is increasing steadily.

They are very active while they are awake, climbing on the trees installed indoors and playing with the bark chips (crushed bark from trees such as pine) that cover the pool.

We've placed a mark on Xiao Xiao's back to allow us to review video footage of her nighttime activities and to clearly identify her in surveillance camera footage. Neither mother nor offspring seem to mind the mark.

We also continue to play the radio during the day to help the animals get used to human voices and noises.

Physical examination and measurements
　Xiao Xiao
Health condition: Good
Gender: Male
Weight: 124g (Measurement date: June 23rd, 0 days old)
13.10 kg (Measurement date: December 27th, 187 days old)
14.40 kg (Measurement date: January 3rd, 194 days old)

　Ray Ray
Health condition: Good
Gender: Female
Weight: 146g (Measurement date: June 24th, 1 day old)
12.90 kg (Measurement date: December 27th, 187 days old)
13.20 kg (Measurement date: January 3rd, 194 days old)

Message from Ueno Zoo

We will continue to carefully monitor Shinshin and the child's health and behavior. We will also conduct physical examinations and measurements of the child as needed, but the timing of these will be irregular.

The mother and cub will be on public display at West Garden" Panda Forest" starting Wednesday, January 12, 2022. For the time being, admission will be by lottery (approximately 1,000 people per day) based on prior application. Applications for the lottery will be accepted on a dedicated website. Please see this page for details.

As of January 4th, you can see Ri Ri in the "Panda Forest" area of West Garden, and Xiang Xiang in the panda enclosure of East Garden. However, please note that even during exhibition hours, the exhibit may be closed due to the animals' health condition or other reasons.


Xiaoxiao (194 days old) (Date of photo: January 3, 2022)	Lei Lei (194 days old) (Date of photo: January 3, 2022)

[Video] No sound