China’s main panda reserve introduced ten cubs to society on Wednesday for the Lunar New Year.
One appeared shy, covering his face with his paws at the sight of the crowd, while another dropped out of the show and walked away from his caregiver before being caught.
The pandas were between 4 and 6 months old and all were the result of natural mating, according to the Chinese Giant Panda Research and Conservation Center in southwestern Sichuan province.
The black and white puppies were featured in a downtown play area adorned with traditional Lunar New Year motifs, such as lanterns, traditional Chinese knots, cardboard cars and flags.
“The newborn pandas of 2020 (…) wish you a happy New Year and good luck in the Year of the Ox,” the keepers exclaimed with the cubs in their arms, as some of the cubs tried to sneak away.
There were bamboo baskets prepared for the pandas with the Chinese character “fu”, which represents good luck and blessings, written on the outside.
This mimicked the Chinese tradition of adults giving red envelopes with money to children during the Lunar New Year, to convey their good wishes and blessings.
Instead of money, the pandas received treats. Some were curious about the baskets, while others were distracted by the toys and decorations.
In December there were 44 panda cubs worldwide, more than half born in China.
China has been proud of its efforts to preserve a species that was threatened for many years. Pandas are also a symbol of China and a piece of its cultural diplomacy.
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