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Seven Panda Cubs Make Their Debut In China

Seven Panda Cubs Make Their Debut In China

Eyes tightly shut, these seven panda cubs are the main attraction of a competition in China to win the chance to look after the rare animals for a year.

The tiny cubs made their debut at the Chengdu Panda Base, in southwest Sichuan Province.

The animals are a major draw for the "panda ambassador" competition, which has 16 finalists competing for the top prize later this month.

Of the seven pandas, the biggest is Aoliao weighing 13lbs.

Twin brothers, Chengshuang and Chengdui - "pairs" in Mandarin - are the only twin pandas born this year.

The 16 competition finalists have joined up with the Chengdu Panda Base to train giant pandas for release into the wild.

Three winners of the "Pambassador" programme will be announced on November 16.

According to organisers, the contest aims to raise awareness of protecting an endangered species.

Only 1,600 pandas are estimated to remain in the wild.

During their one-year "ambassadorship", the selected winners will be given the opportunity to witness a panda delivering babies and spend time with the cubs.

They are also expected to visit pandas living in different countries and to promote conservation.