Berlin Zoo: Meng Meng expects Panda youngsters-joy and hope

Berlin Zoo: Meng Meng expects Panda youngsters-joy and hope

In the Berlin Zoo there is reason to be happy: the Panda female Meng Meng is again wearing offspring. This message was officially announced on Tuesday. The upcoming birth is particularly important because it is the first pregnancy in five years. The zoo has prepared intensively for this moment.

a new success in the Panda breeding

The pregnancy of Meng Meng was found by several ultrasound examinations carried out on Sunday. Doctors could even see two small heartbeats on the monitor. The pandababies are about 2.5 centimeters tall and still have to grow properly by birth. After the first successful birth of twins in 2019, when Pit and Paule saw the light of day, the zoo team is now hoping for a similar luck.

The challenges of Panda reproduction

The breeding of big pandas is associated with special challenges. Female pandas are only ready for about 72 hours a year, which makes reproduction a particularly time -critical task. In order to help Meng Meng, an artificial insemination was carried out in March of this year with the support of international experts. This careful planning is crucial because Pandas are loners in nature and males are not involved in the rearing of the young animals.

expert work for success

The zoo veterinarian Franziska Sutter and Thomas Hildebrandt, head of the Department of Reproductive Management, have participated in the ultrasound to confirm pregnancy. Despite initial difficulties in the previous ultrasound examinations, there was reason to relieve. However, the early status of pregnancy requires special caution, as there can be a so -called absorption process in this stage in which the embryo could die.

on the future of the pandas in the zoo

The team in the Berlin Zoo hopes that the preparations and patience of the staff will pay off. Meng Meng has a particularly sleeping phase in the coming weeks, in which it may not always be visible to visitors. Means Jiao Qing, who is 14, stays by her side and ensures your needs. The gestation time for large pandas can be between three and six months, and the zoo employees have already caused far-reaching monitoring to observe the reproductive process.

The reactions to the message are overwhelmingly positive. Visitors and panda fans are enthusiastic about the prospect of new youngsters. The Berlin Zoo has established itself as a pioneer in Panda breeding, and the birth of new pandas is of great importance for species protection work. In addition to the joy of the expected young animals, the focus is also on offering species -appropriate living conditions and further optimizing the existing breeding strategy.