"Fubao Has Entered Estrus" Center Announcement
Decrease in Activity and Food Intake
Aibao Also Experienced Estrus Symptoms in 2017
Giant panda 'Fubao' who lived in Panda World at Everland, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Joint Press Corps
The panda 'Pubao,' who received great love from Korean fans, has entered a pseudopregnancy state.
Pubao, a 4-year-old giant panda who lived in Panda World at Everland in Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province, and was returned to China last April, has been confirmed to be in a pseudopregnancy state. On the 31st of last month, the China Panda Protection and Research Center announced, "According to the 2024 breeding management records, hormonal changes and atypical estrus behaviors began to appear in Pubao between March and April," adding, "Since mid to late August, Pubao has shown clear signs such as decreased appetite, reduced consumption of bamboo and weaning food, decreased fecal output, reduced activity, increased resting time, and increased water play behavior."
The center continued, "Physiological changes in the vulva were clearly confirmed through examinations, and based on Pubao's behavioral changes and test results, the breeding team judged that Pubao has entered a pseudopregnancy state," stating, "We are continuously observing Pubao's pseudopregnancy period and behavioral expressions and will focus on health management to help her get through this period well." Earlier, from late August, Pubao's reduced activity and food intake raised concerns about potential health issues due to the heatwave.
Pandas like Pubao are seasonal monoestrous animals that meet mates during a short period in spring and give birth in summer. However, not all female pandas become pregnant. Various scenarios exist, including whether hormonal changes occur, whether mating with a male takes place, whether pregnancy symptoms manifest, and whether birth occurs. Currently, Pubao is experiencing hormonal changes and has not mated with a male but is known to be exhibiting pseudopregnancy symptoms.
Pseudopregnancy symptoms in pandas can last up to two months, during which it is necessary to reduce activity and maintain stability through sleep and rest. Kang Cheol-won, a keeper at Everland who cared for the panda family, described in his book published in February, I am the Happy Grandpa of Pubao, that Pubao's mother, Aibao, also experienced pseudopregnancy symptoms in 2017.
Pandas typically reach reproductive age at 5 or 6 years old. Pubao was born in 2016 to Lubao and Aibao, pandas sent to Korea by the Chinese president as a symbol of friendship. At the time of Pubao's birth in July 2020, Lubao was 8 years old and Aibao was 7. Pubao received great love from domestic fans with nicknames such as 'Pugongju' and 'Purinseseu' and currently lives at the Xiongseping Base in Chengdu, China.
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