Panda cub born in Malaysia female, in good shape

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 — The panda cub born to Xing Xing and Liang Liang in Zoo Negara on Aug 18 is a female and has started to grow its black and white coat.

Its gender was announced during Natural Resource and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s visit yesterday.

Wan Junaidi said the cub was in good health and was being monitored closely by the zoo’s “panda team” of experts.

“I am proud the team was able to create the perfect environment for the pandas, similar to its natural habitat. Hence, the mating took place,” he said.

Xing Xing and Liang Liang had a natural mating session on May 7 that lasted for 20 minutes.

“Not many countries have pandas that mate naturally. Most countries use artificial insemination for the female panda to get pregnant,” said Wan Junaidi.

He said it only took 15 months for the pandas to mate successful after they arrived at Zoo Negara.

“We have beaten Japan’s record which was 17 months,” he said.

In the agreement with the Panda Society of China, Malaysia is to give a present to China when the cub reaches a year old.

“Our gift is US$600,000 (RM2.5 million) in cash and we get to keep the cub for another year before returning it to China,” he said.

The agreement also states that all the pandas belong to China and they are only on loan to Malaysia for 10 years.

Zoo Negara zoology director and veterinarian Dr Mat Naim Ramli said the cub’s mother, Liang Liang, is still in confinement and will not be displayed for public viewing until she finally releases the cub.

“We would want to give it another two months for Liang Liang to release her cub. By then, we would put it in a nursery for public to view,” he said.

Dr Mat Naim also said Liang Liang had started to show positive signs that she is able to release the panda.

A competition to name the cub will be announced by the zoo soon.

“The panda can only be given a name in October. This is to see if the cub survives but I am sure it will under the care and monitoring of the team,” said Wan Junaidi.

Xing Xing still does not have any contact with the cub. This is to ensure he would not harm her.