A panda at a Dutch zoo has given birth to a cub, providing a significant boost to the vulnerable species’ captive population. The announcement of the birth was made by Ouwehands Dierenpark on Friday, with the zoo releasing a video showing the mother, Wu Wen, delivering her baby. The gender of the cub has not yet been determined.
The zoo shared that both the mother and the cub are currently in the maternity den and are reported to be in good health. Ouwehands Dierenpark expressed its joy and pride in being able to assist in the conservation efforts of the endangered species through this natural birth.
In the video released by the zoo, Wu Wen can be seen in a bed of hay as the birth of the cub is signaled by high-pitched squeals and low growls. The footage captures the mother carrying the cub in her mouth. Although a second cub was born an hour later, it unfortunately did not survive beyond birth.
This new cub marks the second panda to be born at the central Dutch zoo. In 2020, another cub, later named Fan Xing, was born as part of China’s historical “panda diplomacy” program. Fan Xing was relocated to China last year to participate in a breeding program aimed at conserving the species.
In the past, China used to gift pandas to friendly nations, but in recent years, pandas have been loaned to zoos under commercial agreements to support conservation efforts.
