Berlin's twin panda newborns develop "magnificently"

The twin panda cubs born in Zoo Berlin, the first-ever panda cubs born in Germany, are developing "magnificently", updated the Zoo Berlin on Friday.

This recent handout picture released on September 13, 2019 by the Zoo Berlin shows one of two giant panda cubs born at the Zoologischer Garten zoo in Berlin. [Photo: Zoo Berlin/AFP/Werner Kranwetvogel]

"With furry black ears, characteristic dark circles and well-fed tummy, the small pandas at the age of two weeks slowly look like real pandas," Zoo Berlin said in a statement.

The six-year-old giant panda Meng Meng, sent by China to Germany in 2017 together with male panda Jiao Qing, gave birth to twin panda cubs on Aug. 31.

This recent handout picture released on September 13, 2019 by the Zoo Berlin shows giant panda mother Meng Meng with one of her two cubs at the Zoologischer Garten zoo in Berlin. [Photo: Zoo Berlin/AFP/Werner Kranwetvogel]

In addition to black puffy ears and dark circles around the eyes, a dark belt has recently been identified on the shoulders of the pink baby pandas, according to the zoo.

"We are very pleased with the development of the two mini pandas. As you can see from the gradual black-and-white coloring of the twins, they become -- now optically -- like Mama," explained the Zoo Berlin's director Andreas Knieriem.

This recent handout picture released on September 13, 2019 by the Zoo Berlin shows one of two giant panda cubs born at the Zoologischer Garten zoo in Berlin. [Photo: Zoo Berlin/AFP/Werner Kranwetvogel]

An expert team is supporting Meng Meng in the rearing process around the clock. The birth weight of the twins has now more than doubled. They currently weigh 431 and 343 grams, respectively.

In addition to weight control, panda breeding experts measure the body temperature of Panda babies and support their digestion with regular tummy massages, the Zoo Berlin said.

This recent handout picture released on September 13, 2019 by the Zoo Berlin shows giant panda mother Meng Meng with one of her two cubs at the Zoologischer Garten zoo in Berlin. [Photo: Zoo Berlin/AFP/Werner Kranwetvogel]