KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 — The giant pandas from China started piling on the pounds in the first few months of their stay in Malaysia.

They have been on a diet since November.

Zoo Negara deputy director (hospital and veterinarian services) Dr Mat Naim Ramli said the cuddly pair, Xing Xing and Liang Liang, exceeded their ideal weight after six months.

He said Xing Xing, the male panda, weighed 118kg in July and is now 138kg. Liang Liang’s weight spiked from 98kg to 116kg.

“It (the weight gain) is nothing unusual and their weight is now normal. There is nothing to be alarmed about,” he said.

He also said the ideal weight for the male and female pandas was below 135kg and below 115kg respectively.

“The pandas were then put on a ‘diet’ where their food intake was controlled to bring their weight down to an optimum level.

“Xing Xing and Liang Liang currently weigh 132kg and 110kg respectively.”

Dr Mat Naim said the pandas are fed panda cakes, apples and bamboos daily.

“About 1.5kg to 1.8kg of panda cakes, 300gm of carrots and apples as well as 30kg to 40kg of bamboos are fed to them daily.

“The bamboo, buluh betong, is one of their favourites and contributed to their weight gain.”

The pandas, formerly known as Feng Yi (female) and Fu Wa (male) arrived in May and have been staying at Zoo Negara.

On June 15, 2012, the Malaysian and Chinese governments clinched a deal for the pandas to be loaned to Malaysia for 10 years to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries this year.

When Malay Mail visited the pair on Thursday, they were seen eating bamboo and occasionally playing in their enclosure.

They were also oblivious to the visitors who were busy taking photographs.

Dr Mat Naim said buluh betong was grown in Negri Sembilan and the panda cakes were made of soybeans, eggs, flour, rice and corn.

“Six Malaysian zoo staff were sent to China to learn how to make the panda cakes,” he said.

Dr Mat Naim said they were also monitoring Liang Liang’s fertility on a daily basis.

“Her faecal and hormone levels are maintained to make sure she is prepared to mate between March and May this year.

“It will be the first time mating for Xing Xing and it may be unsuccessful so we are considering artificial insemination next year if it is unsuccessful.”