Stretching briefly, yawning widely, and then shifting position with their milk-filled bellies – ready to go back to sleep! Since August 22, Zoo Berlin has welcomed two new panda cubs. Until now, the twins and their mother, Meng Meng (11), have been cared for behind the scenes at the Panda Garden, out of sight from zoo visitors. But that’s about to change: starting on October 16, guests will be able to watch the baby pandas as they grow.
In the weeks since their birth, the two cubs have thrived and gained weight daily. After recently moving from the incubator to their own "panda bed," they are ready for the next step, allowing zoo guests to catch their first glimpse. Zoo and Tierpark Director Dr. Andreas Knieriem is thrilled: "I’m so happy that both cubs are developing so well, and that we will soon be able to share our joy with our visitors. Seeing a panda baby with your own eyes is something very special, even for zoo veterans like me. We know from the many inquiries we’ve received that panda fans have been eagerly awaiting this moment. Now, our guests can watch the panda twins grow up daily and learn more about the development of these endangered and fascinating animals."
Starting October 16, the panda cubs will be on display daily for about an hour between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Panda Garden. The daily routine of the cubs will remain unchanged. While one cub stays with mother Meng Meng behind the scenes, the other will cuddle in the panda bed, which will be placed in Meng Meng’s indoor enclosure. "Just as in the backstage area, a zookeeper will always keep a close eye on the cub. The thick glass of the indoor enclosure effectively dampens outside noise, and the temperature will be kept constant," explains biologist and panda curator Dr. Florian Sicks, adding: "In rare cases, there might be times when no cub is visible at all. We understand that this could cause disappointment for guests, but we ask for understanding, as the well-being of the animals is always our top priority." On-site staff will ensure that, despite the excitement, things remain calm and the rules for the visit are followed: no flash photography, no tapping on the glass, and no loud shouting are allowed.
It will still be some time before the twins, along with Meng Meng, fully explore the Panda Garden. In the meantime, panda dad Jiao Qing (14) can be seen relaxing and munching on bamboo in a separate enclosure. As in the wild, he does not participate in raising the offspring.
Tip: For those who just can’t get enough of the panda twins, starting October 16, there will be an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour to see how the cubs are cared for. More info: https://shop.zoo-berlin.de/de/category/79
Background:
Without protective measures, the giant panda would likely already be extinct. The giant panda is a unique species with specific needs. Thanks to intensive efforts to combat poaching and to promote protected areas and wildlife corridors, panda populations have somewhat recovered. However, the giant panda is still classified as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List, with only around 2,000 individuals living in the wild. Habitat fragmentation caused by roads, railways, and farmland poses a major problem for these solitary animals.
Since summer 2017, Zoo Berlin has been home to Germany’s only giant pandas. On August 31, 2019, panda mother Meng Meng gave birth to two baby pandas – the first-ever panda cubs born in Germany. Pit and Paule left Zoo Berlin in December 2023 and now live at the Chengdu Panda Base in China. In March of this year, after intense observation and careful preparation by an international team of experts, Meng Meng underwent artificial insemination. Female giant pandas are only fertile for about 72 hours a year, and habitat fragmentation makes it difficult for pandas to find mates during the breeding season.
