Fubao's little sister born at Everland — South Korea's third successful giant panda natural birth

A baby sister has been born to Fubao, the giant panda who captured the hearts of people across South Korea.

Everland, operated by Samsung C&T's resort division, announced Wednesday that a female giant panda cub was born June 3 to mother Aibao, 12, and father Lebao, 13.

The birth marks South Korea's third successful case of giant panda natural reproduction — following Fubao, the country's first panda cub born in 2020, and twin sisters Ruibao and Huibao in 2023.

Aibao and Lebao now have four cubs in total, including Fubao and the 2023 twins.

According to Everland, Aibao delivered the 171-gram cub at 10:53 a.m., roughly two hours after labor began. The birth weight is considered healthy compared with those of her siblings — Fubao weighed 197 grams at birth, Ruibao 180 grams and Huibao 140 grams.

The cub and her mother are in good health and receiving round-the-clock care from keepers and veterinarians.

Everland said the birth carries special significance as this year marks the 10th anniversary of Panda World's opening and the launch of joint South Korea-China panda conservation research.

Giant pandas are notoriously difficult to breed naturally. Their fertile window comes just once a year, typically lasting only one to three days in spring. Hormonal changes during actual pregnancy closely mirror those of a false pregnancy, making it nearly impossible to confirm conception until just before birth.

Everland's zoo team analyzed hormone data from Aibao and Lebao through blood and urine tests to identify the optimal window for natural mating, which succeeded in February.

In the weeks leading up to the birth, Aibao showed signs of possible pregnancy — sleeping more and eating less — and was moved to an indoor habitat at Panda World for intensive monitoring. From mid-May, staff activated a dedicated birthing room with 24-hour surveillance and maintained close coordination with China's Giant Panda Protection and Research Center.

"Aibao is drawing on her past experience and caring for the cub with great skill," an Everland official said. "Panda World's keepers, veterinarians and specialist handlers dispatched from China's Giant Panda Protection and Research Center are all working to support Aibao's postpartum recovery and assist with cub care."

Kang Cheol-won, the senior keeper widely known as "Grandpa Panda," said he was overjoyed to welcome another new life after Fubao and the twins. "We will care for them with all our hearts so they can become a healthy panda family that brings comfort and happiness to the people of Korea," he said.

Until the cub is ready for her public debut, she will remain in Panda World's indoor habitat with Aibao under intensive expert care. Fubao and the twins each made their first public appearances in the outdoor enclosure at around five to six months of age.

Everland plans to share updates on the cub's growth through its official social media channels, including the YouTube channels "Everland" and "Talking Zoo Ppuppa TV," as well as the Naver cafe "Zootopia."

Everland Zoo director Jeong Dong-hui called the birth "another meaningful achievement in the decade-long South Korea-China panda conservation partnership" and pledged to strengthen the zoo's role and expertise in species conservation and research for endangered animals.