Written/Compiled and Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network
The baby red panda "Yuan Zai," who has recently melted hearts all over Taiwan—the first panda baby born in Taiwan—finally opened its eyes after 42 days of waiting and saw its mother, "Yuan Yuan." In recent days, the heartwarming interactions between mother and baby have captured the affection of many in Taiwan. It typically takes about 45 days for a panda cub to open its eyes from birth, and thanks to the careful care of conservation staff, Yuan Zai’s growth has been progressing smoothly.
The little panda cub "Yuan Zai" finally opened its eyes and saw its mother on the 42nd day after birth. (Photo provided by Taipei Zoo)
The reason why Yuan Yuan and her cub Yuan Zai have garnered so much attention is not only because of their cute appearances, but also because newborn panda cubs are incredibly hard to come by. Pandas tend to be solitary animals, and male pandas are not very interested in mating—their breeding season lasts just a few short days each year. Successful pregnancy requires perfect timing, location, and conditions. Even after a panda cub is born, it is extremely small and fragile. Weighing only one-thousandth of its mother's weight, Yuan Zai, for example, was born weighing just around 183.4 grams, while its mother Yuan Yuan weighs 111 kilograms. There's always a risk that the mother might accidentally crush the cub. Unlike human babies, newborn panda cubs are not fully developed at birth—their bright red bodies are not even as big as a palm, requiring extremely careful care. As they grow, their eye patches, ears, and the black fur on their shoulders gradually appear, and they slowly begin to open their eyes. Understanding how difficult it is for these little pandas to grow healthy makes the existence of every giant panda all the more precious.
If you want to see these adorable pandas, besides visiting Taipei Zoo, Animal Planet will also broadcast "Panda Trek" from August 26 to 30. Through footage shot at the Wolong Conservation and Research Center in Sichuan, viewers can follow Yuan Zai’s growth while learning about these rare and adorable national treasures.
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The super cute baby panda "Yuan Zai" has recently become the focus of attention all over Taiwan. (Photo provided by Taipei Zoo)