Everland announces first birth of panda on Korean soil

The newborn panda at Everland. It was born on July 20. [EVERLAND]

Everland theme park has announced the first birth of a panda on Korean soil.

Two pandas named Aibao and Lebao, that came to Korea from China in 2016, became proud parents to the very tiny baby, weighing just 197 grams (0.43 lbs) and measuring 16.5 centimeters (6.5 inches), on July 20, according to Everland.

Both mother Aibao and the baby are healthy.

While the public won't be able to see the baby panda until it grows bigger, Everland did release a video of its birth.

Panda experts recommend that baby pandas be shown to the public when they are about five to six months old and can walk well and eat bamboo on their own.

Until that time, Everland will share updates of the panda family through social media.

While breeding season for pandas is usually in the spring from March to May, a female panda is only capable of conceiving a cub for 24 to 72 hours once a year.

The first baby panda born in Korea. [EVERLAND]

Since pandas don't live in groups, it is extremely difficult for them to meet during the short childbearing period, mate and naturally conceive.

After Everland successfully saw the two pandas mating in late March, the staff kept a close eye on Aibao but were unable to confirm that she was pregnant until very close to when she gave birth.

Pandas usually lives for 20 to 25 years. It is estimated that there are about 1,800 pandas alive in the wild globally.

BY LEE SUN-MIN [summerlee@joongang.co.kr]