The “extremely rare” birth of twin baby giant pandas has been announced at a Belgian zoo.
The Pairi Daiza zoo said the safe delivery of the twins, one male and one female, on Thursday represented a “new hope” for the charismatic black and white bear.
There are fewer than 2,000 Giant Pandas now living in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
Mother Hao Hao showed signs of going into labour on Wednesday evening.
She gave birth to the 160g male baby on Thursday afternoon, under careful monitoring by Belgian and Chinese experts, followed by the female, weighing 150g, two hours later.
EPA-EFE/PAIRI DAIZA/BENOIT BOUCHEZ HANDOUT — MANDATORY CREDIT: PAIRI DAIZA/BENOIT BOUCHEZ
