New panda mom Mei Xiang gives birth to twins; zookeepers positive about the cubs survival [video]

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The stork has finally landed at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC when its female giant panda occupant, Mei Xiang, has been announced to have delivered not one, but two tiny cubs on Aug. 22 via the social media Twitter.

We can confirm a second cub was born at 10:07. It appears healthy. #PandaStory pic.twitter.com/MH0kmQ32kk

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 23, 2015

According to Washington Post, the cubs have been delivered five hours apart, the first being delivered an hour and three minutes after Mei Xiang's water bag broke at 4:32 p.m, while the second cub has been delivered at 10:07 p.m.. The twins will be the giant panda's third and fourth offspring if they survive. Tai Shan, the first cub, has been born in 2005 and has returned to China five years later. Mei Xiang's second cub, Bao Bao, is still in the National Zoo and has recently celebrated her second birthday with a cake made from honey, apple, carrot and bamboo.

Happy birthday Bao Bao! She celebrated with a fruitsicle cake made w/ honey, apple, carrot & bamboo pic.twitter.com/sKMrBcuCVv — National Zoo (@NationalZoo) August 23, 2015

CNN News confirms that the first cub appears to be in excellent condition and is currently vocalizing, which is a good sign. Zoo director Dennis Kelly states that although the cub looks vulnerable due to its tiny size, they are confident that Mei Xiang can perform her mother duties superbly.

Mei Xiang has been artificially inseminated by the semen of Tian Tian, her male counterpart in the National Zoo, and another Giant panda from China last April.

Reuters add that the National Zoo staff show their support and help by alternating one cub and incubating it so that the mother can adjust gradually to her new life. Laurie Thompson, a panda biologist, explained that Mei Xiang has struggled when pocking up the cubs on her own that is why they will take out the cubs as soon as they can see an opportunity.

The National Zoo's chief veterinarian, Dr. Don Neiffer, said the first hours of the cubs' life are the most critical since they have no fur to protect them from the weather. He added that the cubs need constant feeding to add calories as fuel and heat in their bodies.

Watch the videos of Mei Xiang giving birth to her new cubs below.