The twin giant panda cubs born to Ying Ying at Ocean Park have opened their eyes for the first time and are expected to make their public debut during the Lunar New Year, according to the theme park.
The director of the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Howard Chuk Hau-chung said the two-month-old cubs opened their eyes in early October.
The older female cub weighs 2.7 kg, while her younger brother weighs 2.54 kg. Both cubs are usually separated from their mother Ying Ying by a golf club due to the significant weight difference.
The cubs still require 24-hour monitoring and care, and Chuk estimated that they will be ready to meet the public when they reach six months old.
Assistant Curator of Zoological Operations Elke Wu mentioned that Ying Ying is a first-time mother at an advanced age and needs more time to recover.
She has reached about 70 to 80 percent of her average food consumption and can cooperate with caretakers for regular check-ups.
China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda expert Dong Li noted that Ying Ying requires extra careful attention as the oldest known first-time panda mother. He also emphasized that she has a strong maternal instinct and is very focused on caring for her cubs.
