Panda born at popular Tokyo zoo for first time in 24 years

The panda was born to Shin Shin, a seven-year-old taken to Japan from China just before Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami last year (AP)

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 today to Shin Shin, a seven-year-old taken to Japan from China just before Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami last year.

The gender of the baby panda was not immediately known. Zoo officials say the baby and the new mother appear to be in good health, but they'll be monitoring them around the clock.

The zoo says it was the first birth of a panda there since 1988.

Shin Shin began showing signs she was pregnant last month. The birth of her baby was much anticipated in Japan, and the news was flashed on major television networks.

AP