Panda gives surprise birth in Austria

[Akoto]

Source: Associated Press

VIENNA, Austria - A giant panda on loan from China gave her Austrian zookeepers a surprise Thursday: the first panda cub born in Europe in 25 years.

Caretakers at the Schoenbrunn Zoo detected the cub on a surveillance camera after hearing little squeals coming from an enclosed compound where the mother, Yang Yang, had retreated. Zookeepers had not been certain Yang Yang was pregnant.

A photograph released by the zoo showed Yang Yang, a first-time mother, holding the tiny creature in her mouth and looking up toward the camera.

-snip-

Approximately 1,600 giant pandas live in the wild, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070823/ap_on_re_eu/austria_panda_birth

[CottonBear]

1. How wonderful! I hope that the zoo has pandacam!

:) Panda babies are teeny tiny little things!

edit: Add link to AP photo of the tiny panda in mom's mouth! I hope she doesn't hurt him/her!
?x=380&y=309&sig=TJ3M9JpggLjuMpVQbpG38w--

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Check out the video still of Mom and baby here!

http://tinyurl.com/3xk57j

And clicking forwar on the photos shows other baby pandas.

If the URL above doesn't work, just go to the OP's story link and click on the story photo.

[CottonBear]

4. The momma panda is so strong and gentle at the same time!

The tiny stick of butter sized baby is gently nestled in her giant, tooth filled panda mouth!

Amazing! :)

[aquart]

2. If that baby lives, it's going to be very very popular.

[BlueIris]

5. Awwww.

Bring on the PandaCam!