Cub well, Liang Liang's appetite improves

Giant panda Liang Liang's appetite seems to have improved five days after giving birth to her cub, compared to her lack of appetite immediately after the event.

Deputy president of the National Zoo, Rosly@Rahmat Ahmat Lana said today alone Liang Liang ate 2.5 kilogrammes of bamboo shoots and two carrots compared to only two kilogrammes of bamboo shoots previously.

"Liang Liang's improved appetite was because the cub is less restless as when it is fretful or makes noises, Liang Liang will be restless and quickly give attention to her cub and not eat," he told Bernama when met at the National Zoo here today.

Rosly said although Liang Liang's increased food intake was small, the National Zoo considered it a major and positive achievement.

He added that Liang Liang's appetite was expected to return to normal in 10 days.

He said before she gave birth, Liang Liang consumed between 24 to 25 kilogrammes of food a day, including bamboo shoots and carrots.

After giving birth to her second baby on Aug 18 at the Giant Panda Conservation Centre (GPCC), her appetite declined drastically.

He said to ensure Liang Liang continued to have energy, it was fed a solution of glucose and saline.

Rosly said Liang Liang's strong maternal instincts resulted in her never letting go of her still unnamed child, causing the veterinary team to resort to feeding her.

The panda baby is the second for Liang Liang, after her firstborn, a male called Gong Gong, was born two years ago in China on the same date, Aug 18.

Rosly also reminded the public not to organise any competitions regarding the newly-born panda cub, including for names, without the consent of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, as well as the National Zoo.

"I was informed that there is a radio station that is organising a competition for names for the panda cub, but we (the zoo) do not know anything," he said.

He said the National Zoo would discuss with the parties concerned including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment first about a name for the panda cub.

Rosly also said the National Zoo would not impose any additional charge for visitors to view the panda, even though the panda cub would be exhibited after it reaches two months of age.

"Although the number of pandas which will be exhibited will increase to three, the National Zoo does not intend to increase the ticket price. The price for viewing the pandas remains at RM22 for adults and RM11 for children," he said.

He said Liang Liang and her mate Xing Xing would be celebrating their ninth birthdays tomorrow, although a big birthday bash will be held on Sept 3, to be officiated by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is also the patron of the National Zoo.

For their birthdays, the zoo is waiving the entrance fee for visitors born on Aug 23 and Sept 3. However, visitors will not allowed into the GPCC.

The giant panda pair, which were previously called Fu Wa and Feng Yi, arrived in Malaysia on May 24, 2014 as a symbol of the 40 years of diplomatic ties between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.