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Wynna Wong

Panda Watch is a weekly blog by the Post which tracks the latest on the baby panda twins – the first to be born in Hong Kong – until they are ready to meet the public. See week one here.
Hong Kong’s panda twins have got through their second week of life, doubling in weight and their black-and-white features becoming more visible on their eyes, ears, legs, torso, paws and back.
Latest photos released by Ocean Park showed “Elder Sister” and “Little Brother” – the cubs’ nicknames pending an official naming – had started to sprout sparse fur on their pink skin and they were expected to be completely covered in a black-and-white coat in about two weeks.
The park said late on Thursday night that the female cub weighed 328 grams (11.57 ounces), while her brother weighed 278 grams, nearly twice as much as a week ago.
“It will be at least another month before the cubs can see, and two months before they can hear, so they continue to rely on [their mother] Ying Ying and the dedicated care team,” it added.
Despite being twins, their growth revealed certain differing traits. The dark patches were much more pronounced on the male cub, while Ocean Park chairman Paulo Pong Kin-yee said the sister was currently slightly larger than her brother.
Those hoping to see the cubs in person will have to be patient. Pong said a date for their introduction to the public had yet to be set, citing Macau’s experience of waiting six months before presenting its cubs born in 2016.
If Hong Kong followed the same timeline, “Elder Sister” and “Little Brother” would not be ready to meet the public until February, Pong explained.

Meanwhile, mother Ying Ying has continued to learn the ropes of parenthood.
The park said her maternal instincts were “kicking in” and she continued to recover from giving birth. She was becoming increasingly involved with her cubs – cuddling, grooming and feeding them one at a time.
Experts from the Sichuan-based China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda and the park’s care team helped to rotate the cubs so each one received equal attention.
An earlier video showed caretakers offering her a doll smeared with the cubs’ excrement so she could familiarise herself with their scent, prompting calls from internet users for the park to release a similar doll for purchase.
“Where can I buy the ‘unscented’ dolls?” one commenter joked.


Another video showed “Little Brother” drinking from a milk bottle enthusiastically.
One of the most crucial elements caretakers were focused on was ensuring the babies were well-fed and had the right nutritional diet for them to survive and grow strong.
Ocean Park recently revealed the cubs were being fed six times a day, with each meal consisting of up to 10ml of milk.
The amount is so little it can fit into a specimen bottle, and is only a fraction of what human newborns need, which is up to 90ml of milk per feed.
According to the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Foundation, breast milk produced by panda mums in the first few days after giving birth – called “colostrum”, the same as for humans – is a greenish liquid rich in immune and growth nutrients. Colostrum also enhances cubs’ infection resistance and promotes organ development.
Research shows baby pandas who do not get fed colostrum have a “very low” survival rate.
After the initial period of lactation, panda mothers begin producing a less dense milk, which stands out compared with that of many other mammals in terms of moisture, crude protein, minerals and vitamin levels. Panda milk tends to have a higher concentration of vitamins and trace elements, so it is not easily substituted by other kinds of natural milk.
Occasionally, cubs are fed a panda-specific formula milk.

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung recently told a TV programme that Ying Ying, the cubs’ mother, had difficulty producing enough milk, so formula had to be shipped in from the mainland.
Ocean Park recently posted a video of Ying Ying being fed a bowl of water sweetened with apples, to encourage her to stay hydrated, recover faster and produce more milk.
Newborns usually need to be fed about once every two hours. After half a month, the feeding intervals can be extended to once every four hours. Depending on their growth, the schedule may further progress to once every six to eight hours.
A recent photo uploaded by Ocean Park to Instagram, which showed staff feeding one of the babies, prompted internet users to ask why their caretakers did not wear gloves.
The park explained bare hands mimic the warmth of panda mothers, making the babies feel safe by simulating the embrace of a parent. All staff, including experts brought in from Sichuan, made sure to thoroughly disinfect their hands before handling the cubs.

Cubs begin transitioning to bamboo branches and young bamboo leaves once they start growing teeth. By the time they are 1½ years old, they can rely entirely on bamboo for their sustenance.
According to social media posts from an Ocean Park animal caretaker currently in Sichuan, pandas in Hong Kong mostly consume bamboo shipped in from Guangzhou twice a week, and are sometimes fed bamboo shoots from Sichuan for variety.
The bamboo also varies according to the seasons, and caretakers keep an eye on the bears’ adjustment whenever there is a change or transition in their diet.
Aside from bamboo, pandas are fed a variety of other foods, including local fruits and vegetables, as well as biscuits from the United States. Occasionally, they are also given “ice enrichment blocks”, ice cubes filled with food or treats, which are used by many zoos to keep animals in captivity preoccupied and to develop or train their motor skills.
Adult pandas in Hong Kong are fed four times a day, but do not have a fixed feeding schedule, with caretakers working around their long and frequent naps.
Big Sister’s weight: 328 grams
Little Brother’s weight: 278 grams
Diet: No update on last week’s 10 grams of milk each time, six times a day
Development: Growing fur with black patches developing along the eyes, ears, limbs and torso


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Panda Watch: Hong Kong’s cub twins start to develop black-and-white features and sprout fur

Photo: Facebook/Ocean Park Hong Kong

The cub nicknamed “Elder Sister”. Despite being twins, the cubs are growing at different rates, with the girl currently slightly larger than her brother. Photo: Ocean Park

“Little Brother” boasts more pronounced dark patches. Photo: Ocean Park

Ocean Park recently posted a video of Ying Ying being fed a bowl of water sweetened with apples, to encourage her to stay hydrated, recover faster and produce more milk. Photo: Ocean Park

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A screengrab of Ocean Park’s latest video to feature one of the panda cubs born earlier this month. Photo: Ocean Park

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Hong Kong’s Ocean Park welcomed the first-ever locally born giant panda twins four days ago. Photo: Handout

Park chairman Paulo Pong says more updates on the baby bears will be posted on social media. Photo: Elson Li

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The cubs were born on Thursday at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park. Photo: Handout

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Panda Watch: tracking the growth of Hong Kong’s baby panda twins

Panda Watch: twin cubs set to make public debut in Hong Kong on February 16

“Elder Sister” (left) and “Younger Brother” are set to meet the Hong Kong public on February 16. Photo: May Tse

“Younger Brother” has chosen a log as his favourite spot in Ocean Park’s Giant Panda Adventure enclosure. Photo: May Tse

“Elder Sister” (right) enjoys lazing and napping on a fork of branches on a tree. Photo: May Tse

Panda Watch: Hong Kong’s twin cubs to make public debut after Lunar New Year

“Elder Sister” (left) and “Younger Brother” have recently started playing and climbing around their enclosure, crawling on grass, climbing up rocks and clawing at trees. Photo: Ocean Park

“Younger Brother” plays with his toys. Photo: Ocean Park

Despite taking an early tumble, “Elder Sister” has learned to enjoy playing on the slide set up by zookeepers. Photo: Ocean Park

Panda Watch: twin cubs start crawling ahead of first Christmas at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park

‘Younger Brother’ has started crawling around his den. Photo: Instagram/ pandahk_official

‘Elder Sister’ and ‘Younger Brother’ have been bonding by playing with one another. Photo: Instagram/ pandahk_official

Panda Watch: Hong Kong’s twin cubs weigh 40 times more than at birth

Hong Kong’s panda cubs. Photo: Instagram/pandahk_official

‘‘Younger Brother” tips the scale at 5.5kg from 112 grams at birth. Photo: Instagram/pandahk_official

Hong Kong’s panda twin cubs will be given ‘caring training’ at 2 to 3 years old

Hong Kong’s panda cubs. Photo: Instagram/ pandahk_official

Male giant panda An An is already undergoing “caregiving training” at the park. Photo: Oscar Liu

Howard Chuk, Ocean Park’s head of zoological operations and conservation, outside the panda enclosure. Photo: Oscar Liu

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Giant Panda Le Le will be back in public  view on Saturday for the first time since August. Photo: May Tse

Hong Kong is hoping to get a panda economy running. Photo: Jelly Tse

He Ye and He Hua have captured the hears of visitors. Photo: Facebook/ Panda HeHua & HeYe

Panda fans wait for Fu Bao at South Korea’s Everland amusement park. Photo: AFP

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Ocean Park will roll out new merchandise and give out free food on November 23 and 24 to celebrate the 100th day of Hong Kong’s twin cubs. Photo: Ocean Park

Fu Bao selects a loaf of bread, which symbolises happiness, on her first birthday in July this year. Photo: Handout

Le Le, the first giant panda born in Singapore, is given an ice cake filled with food on her first birthday in 2022. Photo: AFP

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“Younger Brother” (left) and “Elder Sister” will soon turn three months old. Photo: Ocean Park

Ying Ying cuddles “Younger Brother” while trying to relax. Photo: Ocean Park

“Younger Brother” (left) and “Elder Sister” were born on August 15. Photo: Ocean Park

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Ke Ke, one of the two adult giant pandas gifted to the city by Beijing. Photo: Instagram. 

Ocean Park has posted a funny moment between “Elder Sister” and Ying Ying in their den, in which the cub appears to wince at her mother’s poo. Photo: Instagram

Adult giant panda, An An, enjoying a snack of bamboo. Photo: Instagram

Panda Watch: Hong Kong cubs’ tails grow rounder, start to ‘disappear’ at 70 days

‘Big Sister’ has black patches around her eyes that look like eyeliner, says zookeeper Elke Wu. Photo: Ocean Park

The tails of “Big Sister” (left) and “Little Brother” have grown rounder and will appear to vanish as they grow older. Photo: Ocean Park

“Little Brother” has louder shrieks than his sister, who is gentler and quieter, zookeeper Elke Wu says. Photo: Ocean Park

Panda Watch: Hong Kong cub twins happier and healthier at 2 months old

Ocean Park shares its latest pictures of “Elder Sister” and “Little Brother”. Photo: Ocean Park Hong Kong

The two panda cubs have come a long way since they were born in August. Photo: Ocean Park Hong Kong

Panda Watch: Hong Kong cubs starting to develop their own distinctive features

Elder Sister (left) and Little Brother. Photo: Ocean Park

Panda-themed merchandise at Ocean Park. Photo: Jelly Tse

Moko’s electronic panda display has been mocked by some social media users. Photo: Eugene Lee

Ocean Park has started serving panda-themed desserts. Photo: Dickson Lee

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Normally, one cub spends time with a caretaker as the other is nursed by Ying Ying, who is learning the ropes of motherhood. Photo: Ocean Park

The two cubs were also captured in a rare moment together, with the “Elder Sister” placing her paw on her brother’s arm. Photo: Ocean Park

“Elder Sister” now weighs more than 1.6kg. Photo: Ocean Park

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The cubs’ eyes have yet to fully open, but “separation” between the upper and lower eyelids has begun. Photo: Instagram/pandahk_official

The cubs’ have delighted fans with their playful behaviour on social media. Photo: Instagram/pandahk_official

Panda Watch: Hong Kong cub twins put on healthy weight at 5-week mark

“Little Sister” takes a small nap as she reaches five weeks old. Photo: Handout

“Little Brother” spends time with momma while his sister rests. Photo: Handout

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The twins will mark their one-month birthday on Saturday. Photo: Ocean Park

Ocean Park has said it is exploring product ideas to tie-in with the birth of the twins. Photo: Ocean Park

Fu Bao and Everland Resort zookeeper Kang Cheol-won have enjoyed celebrity status in South Korea. Photo: Handout

Panda Watch: Hong Kong’s cub twins are 3 weeks old and thriving

The fur on “Little Brother” is starting to develop into a panda’s trademark black-and-white coat. Photo: SCMP

“Elder Sister” gets some licks and a cuddle from mum. Photo: Ocean Park

A screengrab of Ying Ying and her cubs from an undated video posted on Thursday. Photo: Instagram/pandahk_official 

Panda Watch: wiggling and sucking milk, Hong Kong’s cub twins survive first critical days after birth

The latest photos show the cubs have started to sprout sparse fur on their pink skin. Photo: Facebook/Ocean Park 

Panda Watch: Hong Kong’s Ying Ying cares for twin cubs together for first time

Panda mum Ying Ying is caring for her twin cubs together for the first time. Photo: Ocean Park

Despite being twins, ‘Little Brother’ has more pronounced dark patches, while ‘Elder Sister’ is slightly larger


Panda Watch: Hong Kong’s cub twins start to develop black-and-white features and sprout fur

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Despite being twins, ‘Little Brother’ has more pronounced dark patches, while ‘Elder Sister’ is slightly larger

Despite being twins, ‘Little Brother’ has more pronounced dark patches, while ‘Elder Sister’ is slightly larger