Chinese conservationists celebrate after seven baby pandas born at same breeding centre in just three months

By SAM ADAMS

Fluffy bundles: The seven panda cubs sleep side by side after being born in the space of three months at the Chengdu Panda Base in southwestern China's Sichuan province

All the excitement seems to have got too much for these fluffy panda cubs - who were all born within the space of just three months at the same breeding centre in China.
After undergoing medical checks earlier this week, the young pandas have been photographed together at Chengdu Panda Base, in Sichuan, for the first time.
One of them, born on the opening day of the London Olympics, was this week named Oreo.

Cuddly: The cubs have brought the number of pandas at the centre up to 113 - making it one of the world's most successful breeding programmes

So cute: One of the baby pandas - named Oreo (above) - was born on the opening day of the London Olympics

Oreo, who weighed six ounces when he was born, is already up to a stone in weight and when fully-grown, the plan is to release him into the wild.
'It’s so exciting to see the seven panda babies together for the first time,' said Aimee Cheung.

In safe hands: A researcher takes care of one of the cubs at the Chengdu Panda Base. All of the cubs were born between July and September this year

Ms Cheung, who is from London, is in Chengdu to take part in the Pambassador competition - a global contest to raise awareness of panda conservation.
'Oreo is a special cub for me because he was born on the opening day of the London Olympics and because the experts at the Chengdu Panda Base believe he will make a good candidate for release into the wild,' she said.
The names of the other baby pandas are Xiao Qiao, Si Yi, Yuan Run, Miao Miao and two twins Cheng Shuang and Cheng Dui.

Dozing: A family looks on as the baby pandas enjoy a doze in their giant cot at the centre

Cute: Visitors to the panda centre catch a glimpse of the cuddly-looking cubs. Their births have led to celebration among conservationists

source: dailymail