Baby panda born in Thailand from Lin Hui

CHIANG MAI, May 27 (TNA) – Chiang Mai Zoo’s popular panda Lin Hui delivered a big  surprise to her keepers and the public alike as she delivered her first baby on  Wednesday. Her pregnancy had not been confirmed in the latest ultrasound test earlier this month.
 
Director Sopon Damnui of the Zoological Park Organisation, at a press conference in the afternoon, affirmed that the first baby panda born in Thailand was by Lin Hui.
 
Thailand ‘borrowed’ female panda Lin Hui and her male companion Chuang Chuang from China six years ago as ambassadors of friendship between the two countries. The pandas have ever since been on exhibition at Chiang Mai Zoo.
 
Artificial insemination was conducted for the panda couple on February 18. After earlier observations of Lin Hui’s behaviour, officials believed she might become pregnant.
 
In the latest ultrasound earlier this month, zoo officials found movement inside Lin Hui’s body, but they had not identified that she was pregnant.

According to the zoo official, Lin Hui delivered her baby this morning but the infant’s pandas sex was not yet identified.
 
Under the agreement with China, Thailand must deliver the baby panda to China after 24 months. (TNA)

 General News : Last Update : 18:30:18 27 May 2009 (GMT+7:00)