Recent news on Giant Panda [74], "Shin Shin" and her cubs [17]

Recent news on Giant Panda [74], including news on Shin Shin and her offspring [17]
└─ 2021/09/14

　As previously announced, Giant Panda Shin Shin gave birth to two cubs on June 23, 2021. We would like to provide the following information regarding Ri Ri, Xiang Xiang, Shin Shin, and their offspring.

Recent updates on Ri Ri and Xiang Xiang

Both Ri Ri and Xiang Xiang are in good health. They are currently following their summer behavior pattern of longer rest periods and shorter feeding times, and are mainly spending their time indoors.

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.

Since the repair of the acrylic panel inside the exhibit room that was damaged on August 19th has been completed, Xiang Xiang has been able to resume using the indoor exhibit room next to the enclosure since September 7th.

As of September 5, 2021, Ri Ri's weight was 140.2 kg and Xiang Xiang's weight was 90.4 kg.


Xiang Xiang (Date of photo: September 13, 2021)	Lily (Date of photo: September 13, 2021)

Shinshin's current situation

Shin Shin is currently living in a private room that is not open to the public. There are no particular health problems.

They are mainly fed bamboo and dwarf bamboo such as Moso bamboo, Shino bamboo, and Madake bamboo, and they also readily eat carrots, panda dumplings, and apples as supplementary foods.

Although she spends more time away from her offspring during rest and foraging, she continues to care for them calmly, just as before, by approaching them when they cry, licking them, and nursing them.

We changed the cubs' positions around 2 PM on September 13th. Currently, cub #1 (male) is spending time with Shinshin, and cub #2 (female) is in the nursery room.

Because Shin Shin prioritizes raising her puppies, she does not undergo weight measurements.

Shin Shin and her cub #1 - male (82 days old)
(Date of photo: September 13, 2021)

Recent updates on children

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

While Shin Shin is taking care of one calf, the other is being cared for in the nursery. The calf being held by its mother is nursing from her udder, while the calf in the nursery is being fed formula.

Both pups spend most of the day sleeping, but when they are awake, they are becoming more active and their range of movement by crawling has expanded. They are also increasingly able to support their upper bodies with their front legs while lifting their heads, and they can now maintain this posture.

I checked inside the mouth, but there are no teeth yet.

*The baby that was taken out on June 23rd after birth and placed in an incubator is referred to as "Baby (#1, male)," and the baby that Shin Shin was holding after birth is referred to as "Baby (#2, female)."
*As the child has grown older, the interval between changes is approximately 10-15 days, depending on the mother and child's condition.

Physical examination and measurements
　Child (#1)
Health condition: Good
Gender: Male
Weight: 124g (Measurement date: June 23rd, 0 days old)
4,082g (Measurement date: September 7th, 76 days old)
4,640g (Measurement date: September 14th, 83 days old)
Body length: 13.4 cm (Measurement date: June 23rd, 0 days old)
55.5cm (Measurement date: September 11th, 80 days old)

　Child (#2)
Health condition: Good
Gender: Female
Weight: 146g (Measurement date: June 24th, 1 day old)
4,099g (Measurement date: September 7th, 76 days old)
4,581g (Measurement date: September 14th, 83 days old)
Body length: 15.0 cm (Measurement date: June 24th, 1 day old)
52.6cm (Measurement date: September 11th, 80 days old)

*Physical measurements will be conducted irregularly as they are taken when changing children.

Message from Ueno Zoo

We will continue to monitor Shinshin and the child's health and behavior 24 hours a day. We will also conduct physical examinations and measurements of the child as needed, but the timing of these will be irregular.

Additionally, to allow Shin Shin to focus on raising her cubs, the "Panda Forest" exhibit West Garden has been closed since June 23rd. Consequently, the male panda, Ri Ri, will also be unavailable for viewing for a while. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our visitors, and we appreciate your understanding and patience.

You can see Xiang Xiang at East Garden panda enclosure.

Giant Panda twins (left #1 - male, right #2 - female, 82 days old)
(Date of photo: September 13, 2021)


Shin Shin's offspring #1 - Male (82 days old) (Date of photo: September 13, 2021)	Shinshin's offspring #2 - Female (82 days old) (Date of photo: September 13, 2021)

[Video] Some audio is included.
About the twins in the video

0:02～1:12	The child with Shinshin	#1 Male
1:16～1:26	A child moving in the background The child sleeping in the foreground	#1 Male #2 - Female
1:27～1:34	Oral cavity examination	#1 Male
1:34～1:40	Oral cavity examination	#2 - Female
1:41～1:51	Children having their body length measured	#1 Male
1:52～2:02	The child moving on the right Children having their body length measured	#1 Male #2 - Female
2:03～2:09		#1 Male
2:10～2:16		#2 - Female
2:16～2:26	A child moving in the background The child sleeping in the foreground	#1 Male #2 - Female