Edinburgh Zoo's giant pandas are near the annual breeding window and female panda Tian Tian should come into oestrus within the next seven to 14 days, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said on Friday.

Giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo. [File photo]

Working with endocrinologists from the Queen's Medical Research Institute (QMRI) at the University of Edinburgh, who analyse daily urine samples taken from Tian Tian, and a large team of international experts including Chinese and Artificial insemination and reproduction specialists from Berlin, the RZSS panda experts will continue to closely watch Tian Tian's behaviour over the coming days to gauge when her 36 hour breeding window begins and work on the science behind giant panda breeding, said the press release.

Panda behaviour expert Professor Wang Chengdong, from the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Pandas was scheduled to fly into Edinburgh on Friday to assist in decoding Tian Tian and Yang Guang's behaviour in the run up to the breeding window, RZSS Chief Executive Officer Chris West told Xinhua.

When Tian Tian is in oestrus, keepers will attempt natural mating as well as artificial insemination, and the hormone analysis of Tian Tian's urine will continue to play an important role during post-breeding season in looking for signs of pregnancy, it was learned.

"Panda breeding season is progressing nicely and over the coming days, both Tian Tian and Yang Guang's behaviour will become much more pronounced as we get closer to the breeding window," Iain Valentine, Director of Giant Pandas for RZSS was quoted as saying.

Tian Tian and the male panda, Yang Guang, were eating bamboos inside the show room and at the outdoor enclosure amid rainy weather, attracting and amusing scores of tourists including young children.

A nine-year-old boy named Mitchell from Manchester told Xinhua that it is the first time for him to see a panda and he likes pandas.

In 2013, Tian Tian fell pregnant after artificial insemination, the recommended method by the Chinese. During the breeding season, her behaviour suggested she would not be responsive to Yang Guang, and putting them together potentially posed risk of injury. Tian Tian carried a foetus until late term, but then lost it, according to the RZSS.

Edinburgh is the only city in Britain that houses pandas, after Yang Guang and Tian Tian arrived at Edinburgh Zoo on Dec. 4, 2011 from China for a 10-year exchange program.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)