First panda born at Tokyo zoo since 1988

AP Photo/Ueno Zoological Garden via Kyodo News

A panda has been born at a Tokyo zoo for the first time in 24 years. Tokyo's popular Ueno Zoo says the panda was born on July 5, 2012, to Shin Shin. The 7-year-old mother was brought to Japan from China just before Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami last year. The baby's gender was not immediately known. Zoo officials say the pair appear to be in good health but will be monitored around the clock. In this image released by Kyodo News, Shin Shin cuddles her newly born baby in her cage at Ueno Zoo on July 6, 2012.

It was the first panda born at the zoo since 1988 and was conceived naturally. Giant pandas have a low birth rate and artificial insemination has been common in captive breeding programs. In this image released by Kyodo News, seven-year-old female giant panda Shin Shin cuddles a newly born baby in her cage at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on July 6, 2012.

In this image made from video released by the Ueno Zoological Gardens, seven-year-old female giant panda Shin Shin lays in her cage after giving birth to a baby, unseen, at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, July 5, 2012.

In this file photo, female giant panda Shin Shin rests at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, June 27, 2012.

In this June 27, 2012 file photo, seven-year-old female giant panda Shin Shin eats lunch at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.

Visitors watch Shin Shin's partner, male giant panda Ri Ri, at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, June 27, 2012.

Workers set up panda-shaped advertising balloons on the roof of the Matsuzakaya department store in Tokyo's Ueno district on July 6, 2012. Giant panda Shin Shin the previous day gave birth to the first baby panda born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo in 24 years.

Panda goods are displayed at a souvenir shop in Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on July 6, 2012. Giant panda Shin Shin the previous day gave birth to the first baby panda born at the zoo in 24 years.

A visitor takes a picture of a sign with a mobile phone at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on July 6, 2012. The sign reads, "Giant panda Shin Shin gave birth to a baby on July 5! Congratulations Shin Shin! We ask you to warmly watch over the sound growth of the baby."

Panda goods and messages to celebrate the birth of a panda are displayed at a shop near Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on July 6, 2012.

Workers set up panda-shaped advertising balloons on the roof of the Matsuzakaya department store in Tokyo's Ueno district on July 6, 2012.

Visitors view the giant pandas at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on July 6, 2012.

Workers set up panda-shaped advertising balloons on the roof of the Matsuzakaya department store in Tokyo's Ueno district on July 6, 2012.

In this file photo, a guard requests visitors not to use flash to take photos of male giant panda Ri Ri at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, June 27, 2012.