Berlin, Germany - October 15, 2024

Zoo Berlin's newest residents, a pair of panda sisters born in late August, made their long-awaited debut to the press on Tuesday, and will meet the public starting from Wednesday.

The newborn cubs spent their first few weeks behind the scenes. Starting Wednesday, however, visitors will have the chance to watch them grow.

Andreas Knieriem, director of Zoo Berlin, said only the panda cubs will be visible to the public, while their mother Meng Meng will remain behind the scenes. The cubs will be housed in an especially designed glass enclosure with an advanced air filtration system to keep them safe from external elements. One cub will be on display at a time, for an hour each day, from 13:30 to 14:30 local time at the zoo's "Panda Garden," while the other stays with their mother.

The new twin cubs were born after an artificial insemination procedure on March 26, following intensive observation and careful preparation by an international team of experts. The twins, weighing just 150 grams each at birth, have grown to 2.5 kilograms at 55 days old, 15 times their birth weight.

Their names are yet to be decided, as it is a tradition to name the panda cubs after their first 100 days of life.

Meng Meng and the twin's father Jiao Qing arrived in Berlin in June 2017. In August 2019, she gave birth to the first-ever twin panda cubs in Germany, Meng Xiang and Meng Yuan.

Shotlist:
Berlin, Germany - Oct 15, 2024:
1. Panda Garden sign;
2. Giant panda dad Jiao Qing eating bamboo;
3. Various of giant panda cub sleeping in small bed, press taking photos;
4. SOUNDBITE (German) Andreas Knieriem, director, Zoo Berlin:
"We have finally reached an important day when we can show the panda cubs to the public. First, they will come out for just one hour each day. As time goes on, we may extend the time based on their conditions. These two little ones, weighing only 2.5 kilograms each, are a big deal for panda fans around the globe. Even though they are still tiny, they are already starting to show their panda characteristics.";
5. Various of giant panda Jiao Qing;
6. SOUNDBITE (German) Franziska Sutter, veterinarian, Zoo Berlin (ending with shot 7):
"The panda twins and Meng Meng are currently in very good condition. We are delighted that there is always a panda cub by Meng Meng's side to get care, whether being breastfed or sleeping. The cubs will take turns to meet the public. From birth until now, the twins have been growing well.";
7. Various of giant panda cub sleeping.

[Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]