The panda named Xiang Xiang -- derived from the Chinese character for "fragrance" -- has sparked a media frenzy since its birth on June 12 at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. The public will get their first chance to see Xiang Xiang on Tuesday, the zoo's first baby panda exhibition since 1988. "Xiang Xiang has been thriving with the loving nurturing by mum Shin Shin," Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said at a ceremony, describing the baby as "a new treasure of Tokyo". The panda cub weighs 12.3 kilos (27 pounds) and is the size of a medium-sized dog, zoo officials said, adding that it is in good health. The zoo received nearly 250,000 applications for a lottery to see Xiang Xiang.

Source: The Nation Bangkok December 18, 2017 06:07 UTC