Zoo Berlin's newest residents, a pair of panda sisters born in late August, made their long-awaited debut to the press on Tuesday, and will meet the public starting from Wednesday.
The newborn cubs spent their first few weeks behind the scenes. Starting Wednesday, however, visitors will have the chance to watch them grow.
Andreas Knieriem, director of Zoo Berlin, said only the panda cubs will be visible to the public, while their mother Meng Meng will remain behind the scenes. The cubs will be housed in an especially designed glass enclosure with an advanced air filtration system to keep them safe from external elements. One cub will be on display at a time, for an hour each day, from 13:30 to 14:30 local time at the zoo's "Panda Garden," while the other stays with their mother.
"We have finally reached an important day when we can show the panda cubs to the public. First, they will come out for just one hour each day. As time goes on, we may extend the time based on their conditions. These two little ones, weighing only 2.5 kilograms each, are a big deal for panda fans around the globe. Even though they are still tiny, they are already starting to show their panda characteristics," said Knieriem.
The new twin cubs were born after an artificial insemination procedure on March 26, following intensive observation and careful preparation by an international team of experts. The twins, weighing just 150 grams each at birth, have grown to 2.5 kilograms at 55 days old, 15 times their birth weight.
Their names are yet to be decided, as it is a tradition to name the panda cubs after their first 100 days of life.
"The panda twins and Meng Meng are currently in very good condition. We are delighted that there is always a panda cub by Meng Meng's side to get care, whether being breastfed or sleeping. The cubs will take turns to meet the public. From birth until now, the twins have been growing well," said Franziska Sutter, a veterinarian of Zoo Berlin.
Meng Meng and the twin's father Jiao Qing arrived in Berlin in June 2017. In August 2019, she gave birth to the first-ever twin panda cubs in Germany, Meng Xiang and Meng Yuan.
Baby panda twins greet first visitors in Berlin
Baby panda twins greet first visitors in Berlin
Baby panda twins greet first visitors in Berlin
College students in the United States have voiced opposition against the adoption of new rules around demonstrations on campus following the eruption of pro-Palestinian protests across the country this year.
A wave of pro-Palestinian student protests spread across U.S. college campuses earlier this year. In many cases, encampments were erected, with protesters demanding school administrations divest from Israel.
All of them were eventually removed, in many cases, by use of force.
Following the student protests, some institutions placed limits on the time or location that such protests are permitted, while others require preapproval for any demonstration.
Although administrators say the new rules aim to boost security and safeguard uninterrupted education for their students, critics say students' right to free speech may be suppressed.
"I do think that there is a responsibility of institutions not to militarize their response to their students. But all in all, there is a line in which one may cross where a protest can venture into being unlawful," said Timothy Welbeck, director of the Center for Anti-Racism from Temple University.
Last month, many students returning to their campuses for the new academic year faced a new set of rules, with several colleges banning tents and encampments.
On the anniversary of the new-round of the Palestine-Israel conflict, some students claimed the response to protesters was selective.
"One group got shut down outside, like we weren't allowed on campus, but on the same day another vigil was allowed to be held right next to Thomas building. So, I think that response really showed a lot," said Rhea Cook, a student from University of Southern California.
In one of the nation's largest public university systems, the University of California, blocking facilities, spaces, building entrances, paths and roadways are also forbidden.
"We shouldn't be deciding what kind of speech is available or allowed for students, especially in a time where you're doing so much learning and growing. Students need to be able to fully express themselves and be who they are without fear of disproportionate punishment on our campuses," said Kaira Brown, a college student.
Critics of the new regulations around protests also include some Jewish faculty members and students, who say they fear that freedom of speech may be threatened, even at some of the world's most prestigious institutions.
American students voice opposition to new rules to limit demonstrations
