The newly-born panda at the Chiang Mai Zoo in Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai is female and healthy based on its skin color, according to an expert from China on Thursday.

On Wednesday morning, female panda Lin Hui in the zoo delivered her first baby, which has become the first panda born in Thailand.

The newly-born panda can cry loudly, while the new mother Lin Hui can properly feed her baby by her breasts, Wei Ming, a panda expert from China told reporters after investigating Lin Hui and her baby.

Significantly, the newly-born panda has suffered no injury during the delivery time, he said.

Mr. Wei, who arrived at Chiang Mai on Thursday afternoon, said, however, the first week is the most dangerous time for the newly-born panda since its physical condition changes quickly in a bid to adjust itself to the new environment after the birth.

If the newly-born panda can pass this first week, it means that it will 100 percent survive, according to the Chinese expert.

"During the first week, it is essential to closely monitor the newly-born panda for every 24 hours. If any unusual thing occurs, it must be reported to experts immediately," Wei said.

On Feb. 18, 2009, Lin Hui was impregnated with artificial insemination after all efforts to arouse male Xuang Xuang's interest in mating had failed.

Meanwhile, the birth of the panda in the Chiang Mai Zoo in May has marked a new record, since in the past no panda delivered in May, Wei said.

Normally, the mating period of pandas falls in March to May of every year and the delivery time is from July to September, Wei said, adding that, however, the 97-day-pregnancy period of Lin Huiis considered normal.

Also, the birth of the panda baby in Thailand has marked the country as the third one in the world, which has successfully impregnated artificial insemination on pandas.

The public could be allowed to see the baby panda in about one month, according to Wei.

Lin Hui and male panda Xuang Xuang, the father of the newly-born panda, have been on loan from China to the Chiang Mai Zoo since 2003, as part of a panda research program. The loan agreement will see the two pandas returned to China after 10 years.

In a related development, Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT), Chiang Mai office, believes that the newly-born panda will help boost the province's tourism industry.

Chalermsak Suranun, Director TAT, Chiang Mai office said the TAT will promote the newly-born panda through travel agencies in order to attract interest among tourists.

Source: Xinhua