Picture this: you’re out in the wild and you spot a newborn giant panda.
But wait, you can’t even recognize it as a panda!
Unlike their iconic, cuddly, full-grown versions that we all know and love, baby pandas are born in a state that can only be described as utterly helpless.
They’re tiny, wrinkly, pink, and completely bald. In fact, they’re no bigger than a stick of butter!
National Geographic gives us the lowdown: these little cubs are born without the ability to regulate their own body temperature, walk, hear, or even crawl.
It’s almost like they’re from a different planet!
So, you might be wondering, how do these adorable but helpless creatures survive?
The answer is simple: they are entirely, and I mean entirely, dependent on their moms.
These little furballs can’t even hold themselves up, let alone take care of their basic bodily functions.
You heard that right: they can’t even poop or pee on their own!
It’s like they’re newborns in the most literal sense of the word.
Now, let’s give a standing ovation to the real heroes of this story: Mama pandas.
These dedicated moms cradle their fragile babies to keep them warm and cozy.
And get this, they even rub their bellies to help them release waste.
National Geographic explains, “In these early weeks, panda mothers don’t leave their cubs, even when they need to eat or drink.”
That’s some next-level commitment to parenting, don’t you think?
But here’s a twist: what happens when a panda mom has twins?
It’s a bit of a dilemma.
Often, she can only care for one baby at a time and ends up having to make the heartbreaking decision to abandon the weaker of the two.
But don’t worry, that’s where human caretakers come into play.
These compassionate folks switch the twins around to ensure both get the maternal love, attention, and nourishment they so desperately need.
However, The Washington Post throws a curveball into this already complex situation.
Adult animals, including pandas, often abandon their young if they detect a foreign smell.
This can be a significant issue, especially in a zoo setting where human interaction is inevitable.
This usually happens if the babies have been handled by humans, which is often the case when they’re cared for in captivity.
Meet Min Min and her baby.
While BBC Earth doesn’t provide the full backstory, what we do know is that their reunion was a tear-jerker.
Min Min’s baby had been in an incubator, under the watchful eyes and caring hands of human caretakers.
She was finally showing signs of growth, sprouting some adorable white hairs, although her eyes were still tightly closed.
The zoo staff assessed the situation and felt that the baby was healthy enough to be reunited with Min Min.
But there was a looming concern: Min Min hadn’t had much time to bond with her baby, and the baby also had the lingering smell of humans.
The million-dollar question was, would Min Min reject her own offspring?
The suspense was visible as the moment of truth arrived.
The setting was a room with tiled walls and a smooth stone floor, a handful of grass scattered around for Min Min to munch on.
Caretakers opened the door and held the baby by its bottom.
The baby panda yelped and tried to scamper toward her mom, but Min Min initially stayed in her corner, showing little to no interest.
The atmosphere was thick with tension, and everyone held their breath.
And then, like a scene from a movie, something magical happened.
Min Min’s maternal instincts kicked into full gear.
Was it the incessant crying that did the trick?
We may never know.
But the moment she cradled her baby in her arms and soothed her cries, it was as if the world stood still.
The collective sigh of relief from the staff was almost audible, a moment of pure, unadulterated joy.
You can witness this heartwarming, almost miraculous moment of Min Min embracing motherhood in the video linked below.
Trust us, you’ll want to have tissues ready!
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