Panda birth a Japanese first

Updated 14.22 Wed Sep 17 2008
Keywords: twins, Japan, panda

Rauhin has become the first Japanese born panda to successfully give birth through natural cross-breeding.

Born and raised in Japan, eight-year-old Rauhin gave birth to twin cubs at a zoo in Shirahama city in Wakayama, western Japan.

Rauhin has been feeding breast milk to her newly-born daughter and son every two hours

Since her delivery, Rauhin has been feeding breast milk to her newly-born daughter and son every two hours.

But the twins are not yet on show because zoo officials are being extra cautious.

Last month, Japan lost a giant panda baby three days after it was born at a zoo in Kobe.

The baby was born through artificial insemination, which was Japan's first such case in nearly 20 years.

Adventure World Zoo in Wakayama said it will watch the mother's health and mental condition and decide when to openly introduce the babies to the public.

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