Kefa Johnson
The birth of spontaneously conceived twins by Ying Ying, a panda at a theme park in Hong Kong, has thrilled conservationists who support the survival of this weak and apathetic species.
According to Ocean Park, the animal theme park where Ying Ying resides, she gave birth to the cubs just one day before turning 19, making her the oldest giant panda ever to do so.
In the city, the cubs are also the first to be born. Given Ying Ying’s senior age, Ocean Park Corporation chairman Paulo Pong called the births “thrilling news” and unusual. While they typically live between 14 and 20 years in the wild, pandas in captivity can live up to 30 years.
