Brilliant News the CCRCGP Chinese blog is reporting that the first panda of 2009 has been born at Chiang Mai Zoo, Thailand on May 27th.

I'll update this post later with more information when I have more time, just wanted to let you all know the great news. Lets hope this is the start of another bumper year of panda cubs and we can beat last years total of 32 healthy pandas.

UPDATE Currently the sex and weight is unknown. The cub was born at 10:10 am without any complications.

Chiang Mai Zoo had tried unsuccessfully for six years to get the pair to mate. They even tried panda porn. Earlier this year the staff resorted to artificial insemination and 93 days later the cub was born.

I would like to pass on my sincere congratulations and thanks to all those involved in this wonderful event. Well done