By Xu Aiying and Yoon Hee Young
Photos and video = Everland

For the first time in Korea, a giant panda, an endangered species, has given birth to a cub.

Everland, Korea's largest theme park located in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Province, announced on July 22 that female Ai Bao, 7, and male Le Bao, 8, the only giant panda couple in Korea, bore a female cub on July 20 at 9:49 p.m. The newborn is 16.5 cm tall and weighs 197 grams.

The cuddly parents were loaned to Korea in March 2016 by Chinese President Xi Jinping as a symbol of friendly ties. They were flown about 2,400 km from Panda Base in China's Sichuan province and have lived at Panda World of Everland Zoo. An estimated 9.5 million visitors have seen the couple.

Ai Bao was 3 and Le Bao 4 when they arrived in Korea, and have since matured into healthy adults. Public attention toward a possible pregnancy and birth rose last year.

Mother panda Ai Bao watches her newborn cub right after birth.

The giant panda is classified as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with an estimated population of under 1,800 in the wild. Aside from their main habitat of China, the furry creature also lives in 20 other countries including Korea, the U.S., the U.K. and Germany.

Giant pandas are also known to have limited breeding capabilities. Female pandas ovulate only once a year, usually for one to three days in March and April. If she successfully mates during this season, a female panda gives birth around July and August after four months of gestation, which explains why most cubs are born at this time of the year.

Everland prepared an exclusive den for the cub at Panda World to ensure her health. Zoo staff said she will not be unveiled to the public for a while since its health is a priority. Instead, photos and videos showing the baby's life will be posted on Everland's official YouTube account and blog until she is shown to the public.

"I'm so happy that Ai Bao and Le Bao have become parents after four years of living together," said zookeeper Kang Cherwon, who handles pandas at the theme park. "I hope news of the panda's birth makes people temporarily forget about their tiring daily life and delivers energy of hope for a new life."

This giant panda cub was born at Everland Zoo in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Province, on July 20 at 9:49 p.m. in a first for Korea.