Giant panda Tian Tian artificially inseminated again
Tian Tian has been artificially inseminated on two occasions but has failed to produce a cub.
The female giant Panda Tian Tian at Edinburgh Zoo has been artificially inseminated again, the Royal Zoological Society (RZSS) have confirmed.
It is the third attempt for Tian Tian, who has been inseminated on two previous occasions but has failed to produce a panda cub.
The procedure was carried out by an expert team of three veterinarians at RZSS yesterday, alongside Doctor Wang Chengdong from the China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Pandas. Only semen from male panda Yang Guang was used during the procedure.
Iain Valentine, director of giant pandas for the RZSS, said: “Natural mating will also be attempted before the short breeding window comes to a close this afternoon (Thursday) as both pandas remain extremely interested in one another, but as Tian Tian’s transition to peak was so rapid it was a priority to move straight to AI first.
“Throughout yesterday (Wednesday) Tian Tian remained very quiet and sleepy, but by 5pm there was a behavioural shift and the results of hormone tests that came back at 7pm, carried out by the University of Edinburgh, confirmed ovulation had occurred. As each individual panda is different and their pattern can vary from year to year, this is why we start hormone monitoring via urine samples so early and continually observe our female via CCTV as the window approaches.
“Tian Tian is doing very well and everything went according to plan.”
The panda enclosure is likely to remain closed until Sunday, 29 March.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
