Twin giant panda cubs have been born at Madrid Zoo Aquarium in a boost to a conservation initiative designed to save the vulnerable species.

The pair, whose sex is yet to be determined, were born on Monday (September 6). They are the fifth and sixth cubs of Madrid's female panda Hua Zui Ba and her partner Bing Xing, the zoo said.

"It was a very special moment that we had twins, so we contributed to preserve this endangered species," Madrid zoo veterinarian Eva Martinez told Reuters.

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Technicians from China's Chengdu panda breeding base and local veterinarians carried out the first neonatal examination on Tuesday, during which the umbilical cord was tied and disinfected.

The baby pandas weighed 171.4 and 137.4 grams, respectively. As for the sex, it is still an unknown as the sexual characteristics are not yet well defined.

Approximately two-and-a-half months later, they can be seen and a name with Spanish-Chinese symbolism will be chosen, which will be voted on through the Madrid zoo's social networks.