Toronto Zoo home to first panda cubs born on Canadian soil

Saturday, October 17, 2015, 8:10 AM - Tuesday marked a historic moment for the Toronto Zoo, as one of its pandas delivered the first cubs ever born on Canadian soil.

The organization released an update and new photos of the two Chinese giant panda cubs on Thursday, noting that the pair are in stable but delicate condition.

Visits from the public will be put off for a few months as the cubs overcome a time that’s critical for their survival, the Toronto Zoo noted.

There are no plans to name the cubs yet, either.

“They’re so small and vulnerable at this age and we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves,” zoo spokesperson Jennifer Tracey told The Globe and Mail.

According to the Toronto Star, the cubs have also not been named in honour of a Chinese tradition that calls for naming 100 days after birth.

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So far the cubs are in good health, with the first weighing less than 188 grams, and the second weighing 115 grams.

They were born between 3:30 and 3:45 a.m.

Er Shun, the cubs’ mother, is on loan from China.

"Er Shun is demonstrating excellent maternal instincts and began cleaning and cradling the first cub soon after its birth," the zoo noted in a statement shortly after the cubs’ birth.

While nursing, Er Shun will only see one cub at a time to ensure maximum care for both cubs. The other cub will remain under staff care in an incubator, consistently monitored.

The bears’ father has yet to be identified, and zoo officials have yet to release information on the sex of the cubs.

Thumbnail image courtesy of Toronto Zoo.

SOURCES: Toronto Zoo | Toronto Star | Globe & Mail