Ueno Zoo has kept 12 pandas since October 1972. As previously announced, a cub was born to Ri Ri and Shin Shin on June 12, 2017, bringing the total number of pandas in the zoo to 13. This is the fifth panda born at Ueno Zoo.
From left to right: June 17, 2017; June 17, 2017; June 26, 2017; July 1, 2017.
The cub is growing well and has fully developed its panda markings. It is the first cub to survive the 10-day period of instability after birth since Youyou, born on June 23, 1988, 29 years ago. Giant Panda breeding techniques have advanced over the past 30 years, and the survival rate of newborns, who are born weighing only about 150 grams, has improved dramatically.
[Video] A female Giant Panda cub has been growing steadily since her birth on June 12, 2017.
Now, with the arrival of Ri Ri and Shin Shin, Ueno Zoo has reviewed its Giant Panda care and management methods. They have changed their diet to primarily consist of bamboo, and reduced supplementary foods such as apples, carrots, and panda dumplings. They have also made efforts to encourage exercise, promoted environmental enrichment, and modified the exercise area facilities to allow the pandas to climb trees.
As a result of improving management methods, the two animals gradually became accustomed to the environment at Ueno Zoo, and the mucous droppings that were once seen have almost completely disappeared. In addition, by introducing Eurasian Moorhen training (training to encourage animals to behave spontaneously for the purpose of healthy animal care and safe human work), it has become easier to monitor the health of the two animals, and blood tests can now be performed without anesthesia. It has also become possible to monitor changes in their behavior and body in real time, allowing for the cohabitation of males and females without missing signs of estrus and the detection of signs of childbirth.
We also adopted new methods for supporting the care of the cubs after birth. When Yuuyu was born, we left the care to the mother, and animal keeper simply monitored her as much as possible. As a result, Yuuyu's first weight measurement was not taken until she was 154 days old.
It is said that about half of Giant Panda give birth to twins. Raising two cubs is not easy for the mother. In most cases, only one cub survives. Minimal assistance from animal keeper can increase the survival rate of the cubs.
Although Shin Shin gave birth to only one calf this time, animal keeper are appropriately involved in raising the calf and supporting Shin Shin. Specifically, this includes massaging the mammary glands, milking, guiding the calf to the teats, providing hydration, preventing the calf from being crushed to death, and providing nutrition. In addition, animal keeper temporarily take custody of the calf from its mother and conduct physical examinations of the calf in an incubator. This kind of management promotes lactation, increases the calf's concentration on raising its offspring, and helps avoid various risks such as abandonment, crushing to death, and infection.
The calf will soon be one month old. Ueno Zoo will continue to provide 24-hour support for Shin Shin's care to ensure that the calf grows well. There are many challenges that the calf must overcome as it grows further. Ueno Zoo 's endless efforts continue.
