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Berlin Zoo was today celebrating the arrival of two panda cubs - the first time one of the rare mammals has given birth in Germany.

The zoo said mother Meng Meng gave birth to a hand-sized pink cub at 6.54pm on Saturday.

Mothering apparently came naturally to the six-year-old panda. “She placed the tiny creature gently on her belly and began to warm it lovingly with her big paws, warm breath, and the soft fur of her cheeks,” the zoo said in a statement.

An hour later, its twin was born.

Panda Meng Meng gives birth to twins 11 show all Panda Meng Meng gives birth to twins 1/11 Newborn panda twins during their first care at the zoo after they are born. Female Panda Meng Meng gave birth to two panda babies in Berlin Zoo EPA 2/11 Newborn panda twins during their first care at the zoo AP 3/11 AP 4/11 AP 5/11 EPA 6/11 EPA 7/11 Meng Meng taking care of one of her two newborn panda twins EPA 8/11 REUTERS 9/11 Box with one of the new born panda twins after their birth REUTERS 10/11 EPA 11/11 EPA 1/11 Newborn panda twins during their first care at the zoo after they are born. Female Panda Meng Meng gave birth to two panda babies in Berlin Zoo EPA 2/11 Newborn panda twins during their first care at the zoo AP 3/11 AP 4/11 AP 5/11 EPA 6/11 EPA 7/11 Meng Meng taking care of one of her two newborn panda twins EPA 8/11 REUTERS 9/11 Box with one of the new born panda twins after their birth REUTERS 10/11 EPA 11/11 EPA

Keepers only confirmed last week that Meng Meng was pregnant.

She had mated with nine-year-old partner Jiao Qing in April, and was also artificially inseminated to increase the likelihood of pregnancy.

Meng Meng and Jiao Qing arrived from China in June 2017.