A female baby panda was born at Panda World in Everland, Yongin, Gyeonggi. Following Fu Bao in 2020 and the twin Rui Bao and Hui Bao in 2023, this is Korea's third successful case of natural breeding of a giant panda. Because all four—from Fu Bao to the newest fourth—are female, some online are saying the Bao family has become a "girl-rich" household.
Samsung C&T's resort division, which operates Everland, said on the 10th that "a female baby panda was born healthy on the 3rd to mother panda Ai Bao and father panda Le Bao."
According to Everland, Ai Bao gave birth about two hours after labor began at Panda World at about 10:53 a.m. on the 3rd. The baby panda weighs 171g. Considering that Fu Bao weighed 197g at birth, Rui Bao 180g, and Hui Bao 140g, it is a favorable level.
Both the baby panda and the mother are currently in good health. An Everland zookeeper and veterinarian, along with a specialist keeper dispatched from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, are assisting Ai Bao with postpartum recovery and childcare. An Everland official said, "Mother Ai Bao is drawing on past experience to care for the baby skillfully and warmly."
With this birth, Ai Bao and Le Bao now have four offspring: Fu Bao, Rui Bao, Hui Bao, and the new cub. According to Everland, father Le Bao was born on July 28, 2012, and mother Ai Bao on July 13, 2013. The first, Fu Bao, was born at 9:49 p.m. on July 20, 2020, and the twins Rui Bao and Hui Bao were born at 4:52 a.m. and 6:39 a.m., respectively, on July 7, 2023. All four, including the latest fourth, are female.
Pandas are known to be difficult to breed naturally. They are in estrus only once a year, typically for just one to three days in spring. Hormonal changes appear similar in real and phantom pregnancies, making it hard to confirm pregnancy until just before birth.
Based on data accumulated during the births of Fu Bao in 2020 and Rui Bao and Hui Bao in 2023, the Everland zoo analyzed Ai Bao and Le Bao's behavior and hormonal changes this year as well. Through blood and urine tests, the team identified the period with the highest chance of breeding success and achieved natural mating in February. They then provided prenatal care at a level comparable to actual pregnancy, taking into account the possibility of a phantom pregnancy.
Head zookeeper Kang Cheol-won said, "I am very pleased and grateful to welcome new life again after Fu Bao and Rui Bao and Hui Bao," adding, "We will carefully care for them so they can be a healthy panda family that brings warm comfort and happiness to many people." Kang, the keeper who oversaw Fu Bao's growth, has been called "Fu Bao grandpa" among fans as daily life with Fu Bao became known through Everland's official YouTube and social media (SNS).
The baby panda's name has not yet been decided. Everland is reportedly considering choosing the name through a customer contest, as it did for Fu Bao and for Rui Bao and Hui Bao.
It will likely take time before a public debut. Everland will observe the process as the baby panda walks on its own, builds immunity, and adapts to the external environment, then review the timing for public viewing. Fu Bao, Rui Bao, and Hui Bao first met visitors in the Panda World outdoor habitat at about 5 to 6 months of age.
Until the public debut, the growth process will be released sequentially through official social media (SNS) channels such as the YouTube "Everland," "Talking Zoo Ppuppa TV," and the Naver café "Jutopia."
Everland Panda World opened in 2016. In the same year, Ai Bao and Le Bao came to Korea as part of Korea-China cooperative research on panda conservation. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Panda World's opening and the Korea-China joint research on panda conservation. According to Everland, Panda World has drawn a cumulative total of about 18 million visitors.
The firstborn, Fu Bao, returned to China in Apr. 2024 and is currently living at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Sichuan province, China. The twins Rui Bao and Hui Bao are meeting visitors at Panda World.
It is estimated that only about 1,900 giant pandas remain in the wild. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the giant panda as vulnerable (VU) and protects the species. Everland Zoo Director Jeong Dong-hee said, "This birth is another meaningful achievement in the Korea-China cooperative research on panda conservation that has continued over the past 10 years," adding, "We will further strengthen the zoo's role and expertise to expand conservation and research for endangered species."