Qinling giant panda gives birth to twins

A giant panda named Qinqin gave birth to twin cubs at the Qinling Giant Panda Research Center, also known as Shaanxi Rare Wild Animal Rescue Base, located in Xi'an – capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province – on Aug 23.

The male and the female weighed 176.4 grams and 151.2 grams, respectively. At present, they are in fine condition.

The newborn panda cubs at the Qinling Giant Panda Research Center in Xi'an. [Photo/Xi'an Daily]

Qinqin was born in the Qinling Giant Panda Research Center in 2013. She is the first giant panda in Shaanxi to be bred and raised by humans. In 2020, she gave birth to a pair of female twin cubs – Qinxiu and Qinmei.

The Qinling giant panda is a subspecies of the giant panda that was first recognized in 2005. It has a smaller and rounder skull, a shorter snout and less fur than the more familiar Sichuan species.

Established on June 13, 2018, the Qinling Giant Panda Research Center focuses on the Qinling giant panda and has five research directions: conservation biology, genetics, physiology, disease prevention and control, as well as feeding and nutrition.

It is a scientific research cooperation platform that integrates scientific research, talent training, academic exchanges and consulting services for Qinling giant pandas.

To date, the center has bred 36 giant panda cubs.

（en.xa.gov.cn）