France sees first-ever panda birth and death

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There was joy and pain for French zookeepers Friday as their panda gave birth to twins, but one died shortly afterwards.

Flown from China, Huan Huan on loan to Beauval zoo in central France, delivered the first cub at 10:18 p.m. local time and the second at 10:32 p.m.

A screen control shows the first cub delivered by Huan Huan in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France, on August 5, 2017. /AFP Photo

But soon after birth, the first, which weighed just 121 grams (4.2 ounces), began having problems breathing and died despite the best efforts made by the zoo staff.

"It was too weak to survive. The Chinese experts noticed it straight away," zoo director Rodolphe Delord said.

Chinese caretakers and veterinarian Baptiste Mulot (L) stand near the room by Huan Huan as they wait for her delivery at Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France, on August 4, 2017. /AFP Photo

"Our veterinary teams did everything they could to save it, but it was too small, too weak."

But he said the second twin, which weighed in at a healthier 142.4 grams, was in "perfect health."

The youngster has been put in an incubator so vets can give first-time mom Huan Huan a helping hand, zoo officials said.

The second twin cub in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France, on August 4, 2017. /AFP Photo‍

9-year-old Huan Huan and her partner Yuan Zi arrived at Beauval zoo in January 2012 on a 10-year loan from China after intense, high-level negotiations between Paris and Beijing.

Breeding pandas is notoriously difficult and this is the first time a cub has been born in France.

The female panda is only in heat once a year for about 48 hours. The gestation period for pandas is a mere 50 days.

The monitor shows pregnant Huan Huan in her cage at Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, central France, on August 4, 2017. /AFP Photo

Huan Huan (meaning "happy") and Yuan Zi ("chubby") are the only giant pandas living in France.

The pair were brought together in February, in the hope they would mate, but it didn't happen. In the end, the zoo performed an artificial insemination.

If all goes well with the birth, the surviving cub will leave Beauval in the next 2 to 3 years to be returned to China.

(Source: AFP)