Everland’s Ai Bao Gives Birth to Third Baby Panda

Everland’s Ai Bao Gives Birth to Third Baby Panda

June 10, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom News

Giant panda Ai Bao gave birth to a female cub on June 3 at Everland Panda World in Yongin, according to Everland officials. The cub weighed 171 grams at birth. Both the mother and the cub are currently in good health.

Ai Bao, 12, delivered the cub at 10:53 a.m. after approximately two hours of labor. The cub’s father is 13-year-old Le Bao. This event marks the third successful natural breeding case of giant pandas in South Korea.

The birth follows the arrivals of Fu Bao in 2020 and twins Rui Bao and Hui Bao in 2023. Ai Bao and Le Bao now have a total of four female offspring.

How was the panda birth managed?

Zookeepers, veterinarians, and a specialist from the China Panda Conservation and Research Center are providing the pair with 24-hour care. Everland officials stated that Ai Bao is using her previous experience to care for the infant.

How was the panda birth managed?

The pregnancy followed successful natural mating in February. Everland used blood and urine tests to analyze hormone changes and determine the optimal mating window. This scientific approach was conducted in close cooperation with the China Panda Conservation and Research Center.

Did You Know? Giant pandas are only fertile once a year, typically for a window of just one to three days during the spring.

Everland noted that natural breeding is difficult because hormone patterns for actual pregnancies and pseudo-pregnancies are nearly identical. This makes it hard to confirm a pregnancy until the birth occurs.

When will the baby panda be open to the public?

The cub may be open to the public in five to six months. Everland officials said they will monitor the cub’s ability to walk, its immunity, and its adaptation to the external environment before setting a date.

Panda World Everland: Ai Bao/Le Bao

Until then, the zoo plans to share growth diaries and daily life updates through official channels, including YouTube (Everland and “Talking Zoo Ppuba TV”) and the “Zootopia” Naver Cafe.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the reliance on precise hormonal data and international collaboration highlights the high stakes of panda conservation. Because the window for natural breeding is so narrow, the ability to distinguish between real and pseudo-pregnancy is the primary technical hurdle in these programs.

What is the status of other panda cubs?

The panda family is currently transitioning. Fu Bao moved to the Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base in Sichuan Province, China, on April 3, 2024.

What is the status of other panda cubs?

Everland officials indicated that Rui Bao and Hui Bao are also preparing for their return to China this coming winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the birth weight of the new panda cub?
The female cub weighed 171 grams at birth.

How many panda cubs have Ai Bao and Le Bao had in total?
They have had four female offspring: Fu Bao, Rui Bao, Hui Bao, and the newest cub.

Why is it difficult to confirm panda pregnancies?
According to Everland, hormone changes during actual pregnancies and pseudo-pregnancies are very similar, making confirmation difficult until birth.

How do you think the arrival of a new cub impacts the zoo’s transition as other pandas return to China?