Corona Sorrow-Panda's Baby Birth Story January 4, 17:07

Last November, a baby giant panda was born in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture.

However, due to the influence of the new coronavirus, a Chinese researcher who had supported childbirth could not come to Japan, and for the first time, only Japanese staff survived the childbirth and saved the life of the baby panda.

We covered behind the scenes of the birth of a panda, which was greeted by the corona disaster.

(Wakayama Broadcasting Station Muneaki Takeuchi Reporter Yuki Yokouchi Director)

High expectations for the birth of a panda

Adventure World, an animal park in Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, has produced 16 giant pandas and boasts the world's top breeding record.

Yoshihama, a female who has given birth to nine children so far, is 20 years old, and is 60 years old when compared to a human being.

This time as well, we succeeded in mating with our partner, Eimei, and were expected to have a baby.

Chinese researchers cannot come to Japan in Corona!

Meanwhile, the effects of the new coronavirus extended to the birth of pandas.

Travel between Japan and China has been restricted, and researchers who have been rushing from the panda breeding research facility in Chengdu, China, can no longer come to Japan.

Since panda babies are born with a small body of about 15 cm in length, the mortality rate is high even in captivity, and the first week after birth is called "devil's week".

Therefore, it is necessary to pick up the newborn baby from the mother once and check the health condition, but since the mother after childbirth may be upset, the risky pick-up has been done by an experienced Chinese researcher. I did.

Japanese staff

"I'm full of anxiety because there are so many parts that I have relied on Chinese researchers."

Childbirth challenged only by Japanese

In the absence of a reliable Chinese researcher, this time it was the first time for Japanese staff to attend childbirth and child-rearing.

Fumbling childbirth challenged only by Japanese staff.

We will practice while imagining the actual production using a stuffed animal that is close to the actual size so that we can do the picking work that was left to the Chinese researchers so far.

It is a strategy to give the mother the favorite honey on the plate and pick up the baby in a distracted gap.

The staff carefully checked the procedure because they couldn't make a mistake.

Finally to childbirth

And on November 22, the water rupture of Yoshihama began.

After receiving the news, the staff will gather even in the early morning.

However, the staff face an inexperienced situation again.

Normally, pandas give birth immediately after the water ruptures, but Yoshihama is unlikely to give birth to a baby.

Over time and when the amniotic fluid is depleted, the baby can be squeezed against the wall of the uterus and die.

The tension of the staff also increased.

Eight hours after the water broke, Yoshihama began to live.

At 11:50 am, a healthy female baby was finally born.

And finally, the staff will pick up the baby.

I distracted Yoshihama with a honey-coated plate and did as I practiced.

Overcoming the "corona wreck" and gaining great "confidence"

We rushed to the panda building when we were informed that "Ryohama broke."

However, I wasn't born easily and I was wondering what would happen at one point, but when I was informed that the baby was born safely, I stroked my chest.

What was particularly impressive during the interview was that the young staff expressed anxiety about the childbirth that the Chinese researcher would give in the absence, while veterans saw this experience as an "opportunity." It was.

Inspired by veterans, the young staff did everything from mating to childbirth and postpartum support on their own, and their facial expressions were full of accomplishment and fulfillment.

Nowadays, I feel cramped due to various restrictions due to the corona sickness, but I interviewed that by taking a step forward by considering adversity as an opportunity like the staff, I can gain great experience and confidence. I felt through.

The baby panda receives the love of Yoshihama and the staff, and the cuteness increases day by day, so you can't take your eyes off it.

I would like to continue to cover the "Child-rearing struggle" of pandas and staff.

Wakayama Broadcasting Station Reporter

Muneaki Takeuchi

Joined in

2017

After working at Nanki-Tanabe Branch, he has been in charge of prefectural government since last summer.

Wakayama Broadcasting Station Director

Yuki Yokouchi

Joined in

2017 Produced many panda-themed programs such as "Exploration Bakumon" and "Reversal Life"