36 panda cubs make their public debut in SW China

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The 36 giant panda cubs born earlier this year were taken out for their public debut at two breeding bases – Wolong Nature Reserve and Ya'an Bifengxia Gorge Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) – in southwest China’s Sichuan Province on Friday.

At Wolong Nature Reserve, 19 newborn giant pandas were gathered at the "kindergarten." They were seen walking, napping, and playing with each other, making them the stars of the day.

CGTN Photo

At the Bifengxia facility in Ya'an, 17 newborn pandas were lined up in three rows and greeted the public for the first time.

In 2003, the CCRCGP and the State Forestry Administration chose Ya'an's Bifengxia gorge as a new giant panda base.

The v-shaped gorge is composed of two smaller gorges, which measure 6.9 kilometers and 6 kilometers long respectively. Famous for views of varied vegetation, valleys and waterfalls, the excellent original landscape and natural beauty attract throngs of visitors every year.

CGTN Photo

Up to now, CCRCGP has seen a total of 30 births and 42 viable offspring this year, the highest number of births in decades.

The growing number is also good news for giant pandas as the species has been facing extinction.

According to work plan made at the end of 2016, the Center reinforced its efforts in the breeding program this year, including well-balanced, fully nutritious menus and increasing physical exercises, so ad to get the pandas well fed and healthy.

CGTN Photo

Zhang Hemin, the center's deputy director, said the technological advance is helping to improve their captive breeding program, adding that "the timing of breeding can be more accurate, thus resulting in more newborns to survive."