Panda Watch: Hong Kong’s Ying Ying cares for twin cubs together for first time
New video released by Ocean Park shows Ying Ying licking and cuddling ‘Elder Sister’ and ‘Younger Brother’
Hong Kong panda mum Ying Ying has cared for her newborn cubs together for the first time ahead of their public debut, which is expected to be after Lunar New Year.
A video released by Ocean Park showed Ying Ying playing with her cubs, licking and cuddling “Elder Sister” and “Younger Brother”.
“She is observed [to be] very calm and peaceful! With such adorable siblings, Ying Ying shows no favouritism – she loves them both equally,” the park said in a social media post.
Bear caretakers marked the back of “Younger Brother” with animal-safe purple food colouring to distinguish him from “Elder Sister”.
The keepers have been taking turns caring for the twins since they were born in August last year, as Ying Ying was too old to handle them. Also, given the nature of giant pandas, she would have only taken care of the stronger one –“Younger Brother” – as “Elder Sister” was more fragile upon birth.
