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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Edinburgh Zoo's pandas may be ready to mate | Edinburgh Zoo's pandas may be ready to mate |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Edinburgh Zoo's pandas could be introduced to each other for mating later. | Edinburgh Zoo's pandas could be introduced to each other for mating later. |
| Experts from China and Germany have flown in to the capital and are monitoring the behaviour of the female panda, Tian Tian. | Experts from China and Germany have flown in to the capital and are monitoring the behaviour of the female panda, Tian Tian. |
| Scientists said her hormone levels suggest she is very close to an annual 36-hour mating window. | Scientists said her hormone levels suggest she is very close to an annual 36-hour mating window. |
| Keepers hope Tian Tian and the male Yang Guang mate naturally, but will also attempt artificial insemination. | Keepers hope Tian Tian and the male Yang Guang mate naturally, but will also attempt artificial insemination. |
| Last year the pandas were introduced to each other several times but did not mate. | Last year the pandas were introduced to each other several times but did not mate. |
| Oestrogen levels | Oestrogen levels |
| Iain Valentine, Edinburgh Zoo's director of giant pandas said: "The annual panda breeding season is imminent and the next 24 hours are critical. | Iain Valentine, Edinburgh Zoo's director of giant pandas said: "The annual panda breeding season is imminent and the next 24 hours are critical. |
| "Tian Tian is not quite ready yet, however her hormones could peak as soon as this afternoon, this evening, overnight or early tomorrow morning - we are now that close. | "Tian Tian is not quite ready yet, however her hormones could peak as soon as this afternoon, this evening, overnight or early tomorrow morning - we are now that close. |
| "Yang Guang is more than ready and is a completely different animal to this time last year. | "Yang Guang is more than ready and is a completely different animal to this time last year. |
| "We, and our experts, are constantly monitoring Tian Tian and continuing to test her oestrogen levels that will indicate she has reached peak. | "We, and our experts, are constantly monitoring Tian Tian and continuing to test her oestrogen levels that will indicate she has reached peak. |
| "However, if our Chinese colleague Professor Wang, who has many years of experience in monitoring panda breeding signs, believes that her behaviour is showing she is there already we will begin introductions before the hormone results are available as we cannot afford to miss the short window of opportunity." | "However, if our Chinese colleague Professor Wang, who has many years of experience in monitoring panda breeding signs, believes that her behaviour is showing she is there already we will begin introductions before the hormone results are available as we cannot afford to miss the short window of opportunity." |
| Tian Tian and Yang Guang will be given the opportunity to meet up to three times for short 15 to 30 minute intervals, following the pattern of how pandas would come together briefly in the wild to mate. | Tian Tian and Yang Guang will be given the opportunity to meet up to three times for short 15 to 30 minute intervals, following the pattern of how pandas would come together briefly in the wild to mate. |
| If they breed successfully there is a possibility Tian Tian could have twins. Any cubs would remain in Edinburgh for two years before being returned to the Chinese. |