Rui Bao and Hui Bao, twin giant pandas born in Korea, are set to meet the public on Jan. 4 at amusement park Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
Samsung C&T Resort Group unveiled the six-month-old twins to the media on Jan. 3, one day ahead of the pandas’ public debut. The twins, who were born on Jul. 7 last year at 180 grams and 140 grams respectively, now weigh more than 11 kilograms.
The mother panda, Ai Bao, entered the indoor enclosure at 9:30 a.m. and crawled straight to the bamboo that zookeeper Kang Cheol-won had placed on the deck and began eating.
The twin pandas were soon released, but they stayed near the entrance for about five minutes, seeming to feel awkward outside. As Kang carried them to the center of the enclosure, the two began to explore and sniff around, adapting to their new surroundings.
In consideration of the twins’ health, Everland will allow public viewing in the indoor enclosure for part of the morning starting on Jan. 4, and will gradually increase the time. During this time, the park will also operate Panda World with a reduced number of visitors to allow the twins to familiarize themselves with visitors and adjust to the enclosure.
Due to the solitary nature of pandas, the twins cannot share the same space with their already independent older sister Fu Bao. However, Everland will continue to allow guests to interact with Fu Bao at Panda World by cross-releasing her.
“The cubs, who weighed only 180 grams and 140 grams respectively at birth, have now both exceeded 11 kilograms, and have recently grown healthy enough to follow their mother around and start going out to the enclosure,” Kang said. “The twin pandas are also quickly adapting to their new environment by relying on each other.”
Jung Dong-hee, director of Everland Zoo, said, “Our zookeepers and veterinarians will continue to take care of Rui Bao and Hui Bao, as well as the rest of the panda family, Fu Bao, Ai Bao, and Le Bao, so that they can adapt well to their new environment and live a healthy life.”
