The Asia Times reports this morning that the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base in China boasted a record 12 newborn animals in 2006, all of which survived.

The story notes that 12 captive pandas were born in all of China in 2005 and only nine in 2000.

But success breeds its own problems — too much poop.

Each panda generates an average of 20-30 kilograms of waste every day, largely consisting of undigested bamboo, which the breeding center is recycling into panda-poop paper, photo frames, and other uniquely crafted souvenirs.