A heartwarming video released earlier captured the tender moments of mother giant pandas bonding with their young cubs at the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas (CCRCGP) in southwest China's Sichuan Province.
The video opens with giant panda mom Mei Mei gently carrying her cub, Mei Mei Zai (which means 'Baby of Mei Mei'), in her mouth. She carefully brings the little one back to the rest area for a cozy nap, showcasing the unique bond between mother and cub. Mei Mei, born at the center in July 2018, is the offspring of Cao Cao, a wild panda who successfully mated in the wild.
Later in the footage, panda mom Rui Rui snatches a bamboo shoot from her cub, Rui Rui Zai, sparking the cub to turn and try swiping bamboo from another nearby panda. Rui Rui, born in September 2017, welcomed Rui Rui Zai in 2023, continuing this delightful panda family narrative.
The CCRCGP is a world-leading institution for the breeding and conservation of one of China's national treasures. The center has also established a global platform for promoting international cooperation and exchanges involving 18 zoos from 16 countries and regions, as well as 39 domestic animal breeding institutions and more than 10 scientific research institutes.
Heartwarming footage shows tender family moments of panda moms, cubs
At least 2,985 Palestinians had been killed and 8,173 others injured since Israel renewed its intensive strikes, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 53,119, and injuries to 120,214, the Gaza-based health authorities said on Friday.
According to information released by the Civil Defense in Gaza on Friday, the Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks in the northern Gaza Strip has surpassed 100 during the past 12 hours.
In a statement later in the day, the Gaza health authorities confirmed that at least 109 deaths and 216 injuries had been transferred to hospitals on Friday.
Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, said in a statement that it was "a difficult and bloody day for the northern Gaza Strip."
According to Palestinian medical sources, most of the victims were women and children.
Eyewitnesses and security sources reported that Israeli air and ground raids continued unabated since the early hours of the morning, targeting residential homes and shelters in Jabalia and Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Some victims remain under the rubble where medical crews were unable to reach, they added.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Friday that with the direction of intelligence, its troops are continuing their operational activity against the militant groups in the Gaza Strip, striking "over 150 terror targets" across the territory, including anti-tank missile posts, terrorist cells, military structures, and operational centers.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 53,119
