The latest news on Giant Panda [81], the latest news on Shin Shin and her cubs [31]

The latest news on Giant Panda [81], the latest news on Shin Shin and her offspring [31]
└─ 2021/12/21

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

Recent updates on Ri Ri and Xiang Xiang

　As previously announced, the facility renovation work at the "Panda Forest" viewing area West Garden has been completed, and we have reopened the exhibit for Ri Ri from December 17th.

Ri Ri is in good health. Xiang Xiang is also doing well in Giant Panda enclosure in East Garden.

Their diet mainly consists of bamboo and dwarf bamboo species such as Moso bamboo, Madake bamboo, and Shino bamboo, along with panda dumplings, pellets (solid feed), carrots, and apples, which are given as needed.

As of December 15, 2021, Ri Ri's weight was 134.6 kg and Xiang Xiang's weight was 89.2 kg.

In this video, we will show you Eurasian Moorhen training (training to encourage animals to behave spontaneously for the purpose of healthy animal care and safe working conditions for humans).

Li Li and Shin Shin underwent Eurasian Moorhen training while they were being kept in captivity in China. After their arrival at the zoo, the training resumed on September 27, 2011, once their care and management had stabilized, and it continues to this day.

Xiang Xiang began husbandry training on February 4, 2019, and has been working on various tasks such as opening her mouth and extending her front paws in response to animal keeper' instructions. Eurasian Moorhen training is proving useful for the health management of Ri Ri, Shin Shin, and Xiang Xiang.


Xiang Xiang (Date of photo: December 20, 2021)	Lily (Date of photo: December 20, 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 of December 15, 2021, Shinshin's weight was measured at 124.8 kg.

Prior to her public debut in January 2022, we began practicing getting Shin Shin used to the environment of the indoor exhibit where she lived before giving birth. On December 16th and 17th, she returned to the indoor exhibit for the first time in a while, passing through the outdoor enclosure. Shin Shin was calm, foraging for bamboo and resting (she returned to the non-public exhibit at night). On December 18th, after returning Shin Shin to the indoor exhibit, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were moved to the indoor exhibit as well.
Since no particular problems were found, the mother and cub have been kept in a sleeping area adjacent to the indoor exhibit room ever since. Shin Shin is sometimes taken out to the outdoor enclosure during cleaning and other times. In preparation for public viewing, we will carefully conduct training sessions in private to help them get used to human movement and noises.

Shinshin
(Date of photo: December 20, 2021)

Updates on Xiaoxiao and Leilei

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

On December 18th, they were moved to the indoor exhibit. It was a new place for the two cubs, but they were very active, climbing the trees inside and playing together. Since the move, they have been drinking the formula milk that is being given in addition to their mother's milk, and there have been no particular problems so far. At this time, they are not out in the outdoor enclosure.

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)
11.85 kg (Measurement date: December 13th, 173 days old)
12.05 kg (Measurement date: December 20th, 180 days old)
Body length: 13.4 cm (Measurement date: June 23rd, 0 days old)
84.0cm (Measurement date: November 30th, 160 days old)
Measurement not possible (Measurement date: December 10th, 170 days old)

　Ray Ray
Health condition: Good
Gender: Female
Weight: 146g (Measurement date: June 24th, 1 day old)
12.10kg (Measurement date: December 13th, 173 days old)
12.75 kg (Measurement date: December 20th, 180 days old)
Body length: 15.0 cm (Measurement date: June 24th, 1 day old)
83.5cm (Measurement date: November 30th, 160 days old)
Measurement not possible (Measurement date: December 10th, 170 days old)

*Since both cubs have become more active, we stopped measuring their body length after they reached 170 days of age.

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 December 21st, 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.

Front: Xiaoxiao, Back: Leilei (both 180 days old)
(Date of photo: December 20, 2021)


Xiaoxiao (180 days old) (Date of photo: December 20, 2021)	Lei Lei (180 days old) (Date of photo: December 20, 2021)

[Video] Audio is available.