"Will Fu Bao Get Another Sibling?"...Fans Abuzz Over Ai Bao's Possible Third Pregnancy

Everland Announces "Closed to Public for Intensive Care"
Eyewitness Accounts Spread: Similar Behaviors Noted Before Previous Births
Everland Remains Cautious... "Pseudopregnancy Also Possible"

Speculation is spreading about the possible third pregnancy of Ai Bao, the mother of Fu Bao—the giant panda who recently returned to China—raising excitement among fans and netizens.

Ruibao (left), Huibao (center), Aibao (right). Samsung C&T Corporation

On May 15, Everland announced on its website, "Ai Bao has entered a period requiring careful observation and stable management. Starting May 26, she will be staying in an indoor enclosure under the close supervision of zookeepers and veterinary staff," adding, "We ask for your continued support for Ai Bao." As a result, Ai Bao will not be available for public viewing for the time being.

Kang Cheolwon, the zookeeper affectionately known as "Panda Grandpa," also described Ai Bao’s condition in a video released on the YouTube channel "Bbuppa TV" on May 18. He said, "Ai Bao is experiencing significant fluctuations in her condition due to hormonal changes. Therefore, she will move indoors and receive focused care to help her recover." He further explained, "The duration of her stay in the indoor enclosure may change depending on her condition."

Following this news, speculation about Ai Bao’s pregnancy has been spreading rapidly among online communities and panda fans. Some fans have expressed their anticipation, sharing eyewitness accounts that "Ai Bao is recently displaying the same behaviors she showed before giving birth to Fu Bao in 2020 and the twin pandas, Luis Bao and Hui Bao, in 2023."

Pandas are considered difficult animals to breed, as their fertility window only lasts from one to three days each spring. If mating is successful, the panda will go through a gestation period of about four months before giving birth. It is known that pregnant pandas exhibit behavioral changes such as increased sleep and reduced appetite compared to their usual patterns.

However, Everland is reportedly maintaining a cautious stance regarding the possibility of pregnancy. This is because pandas often display symptoms of pseudopregnancy—showing signs of pregnancy without actually being pregnant—making it difficult to confirm pregnancy based solely on visual checks or hormone levels until birth is imminent.

If Ai Bao is indeed pregnant and gives birth, it would mark her third delivery in Korea and her fourth cub overall.

Ai Bao arrived in Korea with Le Bao in March 2016 as a symbol of Korea-China friendship. She achieved the country’s first successful natural breeding of giant pandas, giving birth to Fu Bao on July 20, 2020. She later gave birth to twin pandas, Luis Bao and Hui Bao, on July 7, 2023. Born on July 13, 2013, Ai Bao is now 12 years old, which is equivalent to approximately 38 to 39 years in human age.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.