Mom Aibao, Second Child Due This Month
'Panda Grandpa' Caretaker Kang Cheol-won Also Introduced
Chinese media are showing interest in the news of the birth of the younger sibling of the baby panda 'Pubao' (福寶) at Everland in Yongin.
State-run China Central Television (CCTV) and other media reported on the 8th that Pubao's mother, 'Aibao' (愛寶), may give birth to her second cub this month, and caretakers are taking care of Aibao day and night. They also introduced Kang Cheol-won, the caretaker known as the 'Panda Grandpa,' who is already famous not only in Korea but also in China.
Caretaker Kang said on CCTV, "This is a period of focused observation, and there are differences in behavior and hormones compared to when Pubao was born," adding, "It is important to be prepared to respond to any possible situation."
CCTV stated, "As July, Aibao's expected delivery month, approaches, panda caretakers are taking turns staying by Aibao's side, frequently checking and testing the situation to provide the fastest protection for Aibao," and "Caretaker Kang Cheol-won has touched many Chinese netizens by wholeheartedly and diligently caring for the panda Bao family."
In response, caretaker Kang expressed, "Thank you for your care and love," and said, "What I can do is to ensure that, just as Pubao has grown well, the new cub will also grow up healthy."
Aibao and Leobao were sent in March 2016 by Chinese President Xi Jinping as a symbol of Korea-China friendship. The two pandas, who were about 3 to 4 years old at the time, grew into adults under the care of their caretakers and gave birth to their first daughter, Pubao, in July 2020.
Pandas are extremely difficult animals to get pregnant and give birth to. They have only one fertile period per year, and the progress of pregnancy is hardly visible externally. It is known that pandas can only conceive during a period of one to three days around March to April.
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