A Malaysian zoo said its two giant pandas, Xing Xing and Liang Liang, have set a world record by being the first pair to naturally reproduce in captivity within a short time.
The director of the Malaysian Zoological Society Giant Panda Conservation Center and veterinary services, Dr. Mat Naim Ramli, told reporters there that most pandas in captivity have taken about eight or nine years to reproduce, and often require artificial insemination. This panda pair was loaned to Malaysia in May 2014 and the new baby was born Tuesday.
The center was so impressed with Xing Xing's virility that it's considering storing his sperm for further research.
Xing Xing and Liang Liang were originally Fuwa and Fengyi in China, before they were loaned to Malaysia for a 10-year term. Fengyi -- or Liang Liang -- gave birth to a male cub in 2013 before flying to Malaysia, but it's unclear if that was via natural means.
Her cub, Gong Gong, remains in China. Her new baby is female, and must go to China within two years.