SEOUL & YONGIN, July 15 (Korea Bizwire) — The birth of the first twin pandas in South Korea at the Everland theme park on July 7 has captured the public’s attention, particularly the inspiring story of their mother, Ai Bao.
While the arrival of the twin pandas has generated unprecedented interest in these adorable creatures, many people are saddened by the fact that the twins’ older sister, Fu Bao, will have to be returned to China in the near future.
The birth of the twin pandas was a remarkable event in itself. The emotional video of zookeeper Kang Cheol-won, affectionately known as “Fu Bao’s Grandpa,” anxiously observing Ai Bao’s preparations for days leading up to the birth moved many to tears.
Despite Ai Bao’s sensitivity during the birthing process, she displayed no alarm at Kang’s presence, showcasing the depth of their bond. (Image courtesy of Talking Zoo Ppupa TV)
Kang provided constant support to Ai Bao during her labor and delivery, assisting her with handmade pillows made of dried buckwheat for the panda cubs. He remained outside Ai Bao’s enclosure, encouraging her with comforting words like, “Are you having a hard time?” and “You’ll be fine.”
After 15 long hours of labor without a sip of water due to nervousness, Kang personally brought Ai Bao a bowl of water, which she eagerly gulped down.
Despite Ai Bao’s sensitivity during the birthing process, she displayed no alarm at Kang’s presence, showcasing the depth of their bond. The next day at dawn, Kang offered Ai Bao another bowl of water, and she emptied it without hesitation.
Everland had meticulously prepared for Ai Bao’s birth, with zookeepers drawing from their experience with Fu Bao’s birth in 2020.
The zoo closely monitored Ai Bao and Le Bao’s activities this year to ensure a successful birth, using scientific analysis of hormonal changes, including blood and urine tests, compared to the timing of Fu Bao’s birth.
Due to the premature birth of pandas, weighing only around 0.1 percent of their adult body weight, confirming pregnancy before the imminent birth is challenging. Visual confirmation is difficult, and there is a high possibility of false pregnancies.
However, when Everland noticed behavioral changes in Ai Bao similar to those during Fu Bao’s birth, they assembled a dedicated team of keepers and veterinarians to provide Ai Bao with the same level of care as a real pregnancy.
Since the middle of June, Ai Bao has resided in a specialized birthing room instead of her outdoor enclosure, with a 24-hour monitoring system in place to ensure the successful birth of the twin pandas.
Generally, pandas have a 40 to 50 percent chance of giving birth to twins. In recent years, twin pandas have been born at other international zoos, including those in France and Japan. Additionally, in 2014, the world witnessed the birth of the first-ever panda triplets in China.
Fu Bao as a child, clinging to his mom, Ai Bao, not wanting to be separated from her. (Image courtesy of Everland)
Pandas are notorious for their low fertility rates, with only one fertile season per year, typically lasting from one to three days in the spring. Their solitary nature makes successful mating even more unlikely, as they live separately and only come together during the breeding season.
If mating is successful, pandas typically have a gestation period of about four months before giving birth, usually in July or August. This is why most pandas around the world have birthdays during this period, including those at Everland’s Panda World, which all have July birthdays.
As in any country, pandas are highly popular in Korea. A job opportunity on July 9 to be Fu Bao’s manager for a day received over 10,000 applications, resulting in a competition ratio of 4540-to-1.
Fu Bao as a child, clinging to his mom, Ai Bao, not wanting to be separated from her. (Image courtesy of Everland)
The selected recruits, three in total, were able to choose a day between July 10 and and 14 of this month to work for about an hour from 3:30 pm.
Their main task was to assist the zookeeper Kang, also known as Fu Bao’s Grandpa, and another zookeeper Song Young-kwan , also known as Fu Bao’s Uncle, in preparing gifts for Fu Bao on her birthday. However, due to safety concerns, they were unable to personally meet Fu Bao.
Fu Bao munches on bamboo shoots and thinks about the next cute thing to show off (Image courtesy of Everland)
Fu Bao, the first giant panda born naturally in South Korea on July 20, 2020, has captured the nation’s attention since her birth. Various media outlets and social media platforms have highlighted Fu Bao’s growth and her close bond with zookeeper Kang. The name “Fu Bao” means “treasure that brings happiness.”
Le Bao (male), born in 2012, and Ai Bao (female), born in 2013, are Fu Bao’s parents. They came to South Korea as a symbol of friendship between China and South Korea following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit in 2014.
During a state visit to South Korea in July 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that he would gift a panda to the South Korean people. The two pandas arrived just in time for the 40th anniversary of Everland’s opening in 2016.
At the time, Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong expressed gratitude to President Xi and pledged to provide state-of-the-art facilities with cutting-edge technology, enabling countless people to enjoy Everland Panda.
According to reports, Samsung Group has contributed $1 million annually to the animal protection fund since the pandas made South Korea their second home.
Panda World, spanning 7,000 square meters with a total floor area of 3,300 square meters, consists of four areas: a waiting area where visitors can gather information on Panda World through smart touch screens, a “pre-show” experience area that educates visitors about the pandas’ ecology, an indoor and outdoor release area where visitors can interact with the pandas, and various amenities.
The release site features bamboo and maple trees, natural grass, and artificial waterfalls, mimicking the pandas’ natural habitat in Sichuan, China. To ensure the pandas’ comfort in higher temperatures, large ice cubes are also provided.
Born in such a favorable environment, Fu Bao has become a mascot for Everland, attracting significant attention. It is not an exaggeration to say that Fu Bao has played a role in bringing people back to Everland after the COVID-19 pandemic. Some guests are willing to wait in line for over an hour and a half just to catch a glimpse of her.
Kang mentioned that some individuals spend five to six days a week at Panda World solely to see Fu Bao. He also shared stories of people finding solace and healing by watching Fu Bao, including cases where it helped individuals suffering from insomnia and depression.
However, according to the lease agreement between South Korea and China, Fu Bao must return to China for breeding before turning four years old. Negotiations for Fu Bao’s return to China are set to begin next month, as reported by the Global Times on July 8.
Fu Bao takes a moment to think about the life of a panda while eating bamboo shoots.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
