An as yet unnamed panda cub was born at the Bifengxia Protection Centre in Sichuan, China, on Friday.
And weighing just 3½ oz – compared to mum’s 19 stone – the pink newborn cub disappears into its mother’s jaws.
But doting Qing Qing was carrying the cub just as a new panda mother should – to the relief of keepers trying to keep the endangered species from extinction.
Qing Qing delicately carries her tiny newborn cub in her mouth
Expert Jeroen Jacobs said:
"These pictures are very encouraging.
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"First-time mothers can be disinterested, but Qing Qing knows what to do and is carrying her baby gently.
"The best place for the cub is in mother’s mouth where she can be protected."
Newborn cub weighs just over 3oz - compared to mum's 19st
The birth will also bring some comfort to panda conservationists who were mourning the death of five-year-old Xin Xin from kidney failure last week.
Elsewhere in China, twin cubs were born last week to 11-year-old Yang Yang at a breeding centre in Shaanxi Province – but there are still just 370 giant pandas in captivity.
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