Toronto Zoo Giant Panda Breeding Program Update – Day 3
The giant panda team continues to closely monitor the two cubs and Er Shun around the clock. With the assistance of two giant panda experts from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China, the team continues to twin-swap the cubs. This not only enables Er Shun to nurse and bond with each cub, but also provides the Zoo’s Wildlife Health Centre and Wildlife Care staff with the opportunity to weigh each cub and conduct regular health checks.
While there has been some weight fluctuations with both cubs, which is very common with newborns, both of them are currently stable. Yesterday, Wednesday, October 14, 2015, the cubs were observed nursing from Er Shun and if the team notices that one or both of the cubs are not suckling from her, the team is able to collect milk from Er Shun and give it to the cubs extremely carefully, by bottle.
The Toronto Zoo wants to thank everyone for the ongoing support and encouragement. The next few days and weeks will still be a critical time for these tiny cubs, however we continue to be cautiously hopeful with their progress. We will continue to update you as information becomes available as the team continues to be very focused on the health and wellbeing of the cubs and Er Shun.
Source: Toronto Zoo
