We would like to inform you that Shin Shin, Giant Panda at Ueno Zoo, who had been out of the public eye since June 4, 2021, has given birth.

Currently, all staff members are working together to do everything possible to observe and protect Giant Panda mother and cub. We kindly ask that you consider the current situation at the zoo and refrain from making inquiries about the pandas' condition by phone or other means.

Number of puppies born 2 heads

Date of birth 1st dog: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 1:03am
2nd dog: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 2:32 p.m.

sex 1st head: unknown
2nd head: unknown

body weight One weighed 124g. The weight of the other is unknown.

Current situation
As of 9:30 AM on Wednesday, June 23rd, Shin Shin is holding one of the calves in her right foreleg. The other calf is being cared for in an incubator. We are currently checking whether or not the calf is nursing.

The events leading up to childbirth
Mating behavior was observed between her and Ri Ri (male) on March 6, 2021, and on June 4, it was announced that she might be pregnant. The exhibit was then closed and her condition was being observed.
Subsequently, from around 6 PM on June 22nd, the animal began exhibiting more behaviors such as licking its genitals, and zookeepers and staff maintained a 24-hour monitoring system in preparation for childbirth, continuing to observe it carefully.
Around 7 PM that same day, signs of labor began to appear, such as her vulva becoming swollen, red, and turned inward. Her water broke at 12:01 AM on the 23rd, and the birth of her first calf was confirmed by zookeepers who were observing the scene at 1:03 AM. Afterwards, Shin Shin held her calf tightly with her right foreleg, and the calf cried loudly, showing that both mother and calf were in good health.
At 2:10 a.m., her water broke for the second time, and at 2:32 a.m., the zookeepers who had been observing the area confirmed the birth of her second calf. The second calf was also healthy and crying loudly.
Afterwards, Shin Shin held both cubs in her right foreleg, but since Giant Panda generally do not care for two cubs at the same time, she picked up one at 3:10 and placed it in an incubator. Shin Shin continued to hold and care for the other cub.
No health problems have been observed so far.

Further information
Regarding Shinshin and the children, we will be providing updates on their well-being through comments, photos, and videos from the nursery every Tuesday and Friday at 3 PM until July 23rd (Friday).
Please note that depending on the circumstances, we may not be able to release any photos or videos.

*Regarding Ri Ri and Xiang Xiang, we will generally provide updates on their current condition at 3 PM on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.

Shin Shin immediately after giving birth to her first cub. (Date and time of photo: June 23, 2021, 1:03 AM)	Shin Shin immediately after giving birth to her second cub. (Date and time of photo: June 23, 2021, 2:32 AM)

Shinshin holding her child

Giant Panda cub transferred to incubator
(Date and time of photo: June 23, 2021, 3:14 AM)

[Video] Some audio is included.
(June 23, 2021)
(June 23, 2021: Added the following under "Current Situation")