Thanks again to Sarah for sending this in.

August 5, 2008 was a festive day when the Olympic torch “Lucky Cloud” began the Chengdu leg of the relay. Adding to the festivity and celebration was the birth of a set of giant panda twins delivered at the Chengdu base.

At 10:00 a.m., August 4, Shu Qing NameShu Qing Other NamesChuan Qing Chinese Names蜀庆 Stud Number480 Date of Birth1999-Aug- SexFemale Current LocationChengdu Zoological Garden Born atChongqing Zoo MotherXin Xing - #253 FatherChuan Chuan - #231 , a nine-year-old giant panda at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, went into labor. At 10.05 p.m., she delivered one cub and another smoothly at 00.02 a.m. on August 5. The two newborns weigh 158g and 135g and were both male.

　　According to Huang Xiangming, a breeding expert at the Base, compression in the birth canal caused bruises and swelling on the head of the first newborn. The experts at the Base immediately carried out emergency treatment as well provided colostrum.

　　At present, the two cubs are in good conditions. To ensure their healthy growth, human rearing, in combination with the mother Shu Qing NameShu Qing Other NamesChuan Qing Chinese Names蜀庆 Stud Number480 Date of Birth1999-Aug- SexFemale Current LocationChengdu Zoological Garden Born atChongqing Zoo MotherXin Xing - #253 FatherChuan Chuan - #231 ’s own rearing, will be adopted by the breeding experts at the Base.