Panda twins born in China last month have been named “Ping Ping y An An”, which means “Safe and Sound” in English (Sano y Salvo in Spanish). The twins are expected to bring a sense of hope to the world, amid the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The babies were born on March 17, at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Base in Southeast China.

A 16-year-old giant panda named Fuwa gave birth, now they are the world’s first panda twins to be born in captivity this year.

This year’s first panda twins are born in captivity

Several moving images and videos, shared by the state broadcaster CCTV , show the mother holding the pink panda twins, and affectionately licking them after they are born.

Wu Kongju, a researcher at the center, told Mail Online :

This is the fifth time that Fuwa has become a mother. It is very rare for pandas to give birth in the spring. She will turn 17 this year and now has eight babies. It is also rare that Fuwa shows so much affection towards her babies. We are very happy”.

Ping Ping and An An, weighed 159.8 grams (0.35 pounds) and 119.5 grams (0.26 pounds) respectively when they were born. It’s been a month and now healthy babies weigh more than one kilogram (2.2 pounds) and 800 grams (1.76 pounds).

Cubs still have their eyes closed – pandas typically open their eyes when they are six to eight weeks old.

Ping Ping and An An, have 24-hour specialized care from the research team, to guarantee their well-being and growth. Fuwa also receives additional care from the team, helping her to recover from labor with satisfaction.

Fortunately, the panda center was prepared to meet the needs that the coronavirus outbreak could cause in the Asian region. The workers at the center had stored a large quantity of bamboo to ensure enough food for the pandas for a long time.

The center is also in charge of closely monitoring the animals’ activities, as spring is the mating season for pandas.

Most panda babies are born in June, July and August, so it is very rare for twins to be born in the spring. When a panda cub is born, it is hairless and pink, its striking black and white fur will shed around six months of age.

Ping Ping and An An will be breastfed until they are one year old and can consume solid foods, such as bamboo.

By about five to seven months of age, babies will be ready to climb trees and explore different places.

Ping Ping and An An, become a light of hope, in the midst of the crisis generated by the pandemic that is attacking the entire world.