In Pictures: Rare Panda Triplets Celebrate First Birthday in China

Giant panda triplets play on their first year birthday celebration at Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China, July 29, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

The world’s only surviving panda triplets celebrated their first birthday in a zoo in southern China.

More than 4,000 panda fans and media from around the world gathered at Changlong zoo in Guangdong province to witness the birthday party for the panda triplets, Meng Meng, Shuai Shuai and Ku Ku yesterday.

The triplets enjoyed a special cake made of bamboo and fruit while their fans sang “Happy Birthday” to them, state run-Xinhua news agency reported today.

Feeders hold giant panda triplets as they pose for pictures on their first year birthday celebration at Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China, July 29, 2015. (Photo: Reuters)

The triplets born at Chime Long Safari Park are the fourth set of panda triplets ever recorded.

In all previous instances, at least one of the triplets died from physical defects or low body weight.

Mother giant panda Juxiao is seen with one of her triplets at Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, December 9, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

Miss Chinese winners (L-R) He Wenqian, Liu Zhongqing and Yang Xue pose for pictures with Giant Panda triplets at the Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, October 27, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

After their birth, panda experts from Sichuan Province were invited to Guangzhou to help care for the cubs.

Giant pandas are among the world’s most endangered species.

Newborn giant panda triplets, which were born to giant panda Juxiao (not pictured), are seen inside an incubator at the Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, Guangdong province August 9, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

Statistics from the State Forestry Administration show about 1,600 pandas live in the wild, mostly in the mountains of Sichuan, while about 300 are held in captivity in zoos worldwide.

Most giant pandas in captivity are not good breeders.

Only 24 per cent of females in captivity give birth, posing a serious threat to the survival of the species.