The latest news on Giant Panda [78], the latest news on "Shin Shin" and her cubs [25]

Recent news on Giant Panda [78], Recent news on Shin Shin and her cubs [25]
└─ 2021/11/09

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

Both Ri Ri and Xiang Xiang are in good health.

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 previously announced, we reopened the exhibit of Ri Ri in West Garden 's "Panda Forest" on October 5th. As the weather has become more comfortable for pandas, who inhabit high-altitude mountainous regions, Ri Ri has been eating more bamboo.

Xiang Xiang, the panda in East Garden Garden enclosure, is very picky about bamboo, and feeding her is a challenge as we have to carefully select the bamboo she's likely to eat. However, there are no particular health problems. We are also letting her outside more often, but whether she is kept outdoors or indoors will be changed depending on the animal's condition and the weather.

As of November 5, 2021, Ri Ri's weight was 137.0 kg and Xiang Xiang's weight was 87.2 kg.


Xiang Xiang (Date of photo: November 8, 2021)	Lily (Date of photo: November 8, 2021)

Shinshin's current situation

Shin Shin still spends her time in a restricted area, but she does go outside for short periods. While Shin Shin is foraging outdoors, her cubs are kept in the nursery and undergo physical examinations and measurements. There are no particular health problems with Shin Shin.

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.

On October 23rd, we entrusted the two cubs to Shin Shin, and she calmly cared for them, licking them and nursing them. Since then, they have remained living together, and she has been caring for them without any problems, showing no favoritism in caring for one over the other.

We will continue to carefully observe the mother and baby, and provide support for Shin Shin's care, including supplementing with formula feeding as needed.

As of November 5, 2021, Shinshin's weight was measured at 122.6 kg.

Xin Xin and her twins (Xiaoxiao in the foreground, Leilei in the background, both 138 days old)
(Date of photo: November 8, 2021)

Updates on Xiaoxiao and Leilei

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

Both cubs have been staying with Shin Shin since October 23rd, and both are nursing from her. When returning the two cubs to Shin Shin, a mark was placed on Xiao Xiao's back to prevent any misidentification, but neither mother nor cub seems to mind the mark.

Both dogs are expanding their range of activities. They can now be seen clinging to logs and fences to stand on their hind legs, and showing interest in the water they drink by dipping their mouths and limbs into it.

We confirmed that all of Lei Lei's baby teeth had grown in on November 1st, and all of Xiaoxiao's on November 8th. The two have been seen playing together, biting each other, and even nibbling on bamboo, although they are not yet eating it.

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)
8,100g (Measurement date: November 1st, 131 days old)
9,050g (Measurement date: November 8th, 138 days old)
Body length: 13.4 cm (Measurement date: June 23rd, 0 days old)
70.0 cm (Measurement date: October 31st, 130 days old)

　Ray Ray
Health condition: Good
Gender: Female
Weight: 146g (Measurement date: June 24th, 1 day old)
8,150g (Measurement date: November 1st, 131 days old)
8,950g (Measurement date: November 8th, 138 days old)
Body length: 15.0 cm (Measurement date: June 24th, 1 day old)
71.0cm (Measurement date: October 31st, 130 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 are scheduled to be publicly displayed in West Garden 's "Panda Forest" around January 2022, but the specific date will be announced separately, taking into account the growth and development of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei.

Left: Lei Lei, Right: Xiaoxiao (both 138 days old)
(Date of photo: November 8, 2021)


Xiaoxiao (138 days old) (Date of photo: November 8, 2021)	Lei Lei (138 days old) (Date of photo: November 8, 2021)

[Video] Some audio is included.