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Edinburgh Zoo pandas: Put in same enclosure to mate Edinburgh Zoo pandas: Put in same enclosure to mate
(about 1 hour later)
The giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo are to be put together for a third time after two unsuccessful mating attempts. The giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo have been brought together to mate five times but so far have been unsuccessful.
Yang Guang was allowed into Tian Tian's indoor cage through a grate for five minutes at 09:00 and again at 09:15. Yang Guang was allowed into Tian Tian's indoor cage through a grate for five minutes at a time.
Despite fears the 20st (127kg) bear may fight and hurt his 14st (89kg) mate, he showed no aggression. The 20st (127kg) male bear was showing more aggression, which the zoo said was a good thing.
Female pandas ovulate just once a year, with a narrow window of just 36 hours in which they can get pregnant. They werre also put together again at 17:00. Female pandas ovulate just once a year, with a narrow window of just 36 hours in which they can get pregnant.
They will also be put together three times on Wednesday. The pandas will be brought together again on Wednesday.
A Chinese panda expert, who checked on the female Tian Tian at 09:00, judged that she was ready.A Chinese panda expert, who checked on the female Tian Tian at 09:00, judged that she was ready.
The pandas have been taken off display, and the online "pandacam" has been switched off, while a team of zoo keepers observe to see if they mate.The pandas have been taken off display, and the online "pandacam" has been switched off, while a team of zoo keepers observe to see if they mate.
The two pandas, who arrived at Edinburgh Zoo from China in December, have been kept in separate enclosures.The two pandas, who arrived at Edinburgh Zoo from China in December, have been kept in separate enclosures.
Tian Tian ovulated during the night, which led zoo officials to open the gate between the two cages.Tian Tian ovulated during the night, which led zoo officials to open the gate between the two cages.
An Edinburgh Zoo spokeswoman told the BBC Scotland news website: "The urine samples we took on Monday morning came back at 21:00 on Monday with results saying Tian Tian had not ovulated.An Edinburgh Zoo spokeswoman told the BBC Scotland news website: "The urine samples we took on Monday morning came back at 21:00 on Monday with results saying Tian Tian had not ovulated.
"However our Chinese panda expert checked her on Tuesday morning and he said she had ovulated in the night and because our tests take about 12 hours to get back to us we could not wait so the pandas have been put together." "However, our Chinese panda expert checked her on Tuesday morning and he said she had ovulated in the night and because our tests take about 12 hours to get back to us we could not wait so the pandas have been put together."
She added: "When they were put together they wrestled a lot, but in a good way, Yang Guang showed no aggression, although he did dominate her, which is natural. She added: "When they were put together they wrestled a lot, but in a good way.
"Before the grate went up she was making high pitched calls and their paws were up against the grate. "Before the grate went up she was making high pitched calls and their paws were up against the grate."
"He did mount her twice but mating was unsuccessful on these occasions."
Panda pregnancies can last for anything between 85 and 100 days.Panda pregnancies can last for anything between 85 and 100 days.
The zoo has confirmed they will not use artificial insemination if the pandas fail to mate successfully this year.The zoo has confirmed they will not use artificial insemination if the pandas fail to mate successfully this year.