18只熊猫宝宝一起过生日 18 panda cubs have birthday party in Sichuan

Eighteen giant panda cubs born in 2018 had a birthday(生日 shēngrì) party Thursday in Shenshuping base in Wolong National Nature Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Eighteen giant panda cubs born in 2018 have a birthday party in Shenshuping base in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province on Thursday, July 25, 2019. [Photo: China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas]

All of the 18 cubs are to turn one year old between June to Sept. There are nine male(雄性 xióngxìng) and nine female(雌性 cíxìng) cubs in total, including three pairs of twins(双胞胎 shuāngbāotāi).

Staff with the research center prepared a fancy fruit(水果 shuǐguǒ) birthday cake(蛋糕 dàngāo) for the panda cubs. Fans of the panda cubs were also invited to attend the birthday party.

Being lively and active, the cubs usually play(玩耍 wánshuǎ) together, compete with each other for food(争食 zhēng shí), climb trees(爬树 pá shù), sleep(睡觉 shuìjiào) on tree branches or play with toys.

The cubs are also entering the teething stage where they become mainly reliant on milk. They do however supplement their diet with two meals of tender(嫩 nèn) bamboo shoot tips each day, allowing them to grind(磨 mó) their newfound adult teeth.

Their growth indicators are monitored by their breeders at the research center. The veterinarians also conduct regular physical examinations.

重点词汇 Key Word:

一起 <副词 adv.>

• In the same place, group, etc.
  E.g. Tāmen shì yīqǐ de.
  他们是一起的。
  They belong to the same group.

• Together; in company
  E.g.Yǒu rén kànjiàn tā hé yīgè nǚhái zài yīqǐ.
  有人看见他和一个女孩在一起。
  He had been spotted in a girl's company.