The folks running Singapore Zoo certainly had the panda's best interests in mind when they induced Kai Kai & Jia Jia into the mood for sexytime as the mating season arrives.
In what is the panda equivalent of dimming the lights and putting on some Marvin Gaye, the River Safari's keepers and vets have employed a number of measures since last November to trigger their breeding cycles, including varying the daylight hours and temperature in the enclosure to simulate the changing of seasons of their homeland in China.
And respond they did, the two endangered bears — who are notoriously difficult to breed — started bleating, scent-marking and performing other seduction techniques to indicate their horniness.
It was on the evening of Apr 17 that the reserve's researchers, keepers and vets gathered together excitedly to watch two animals attempt to have (unsuccessful) sex for 40 minutes. That's certainly something to write home about. Oh hey, they took pictures too:
A decision was also made to carry out artificial insemination to increase Jia Jia's chances of conceiving, relieving Kai Kai of his embarrassing obligation to do the deed (and fail) once again.
“In the next few months, we will continue to monitor Jia Jia’s hormone levels and conduct ultrasounds to determine if she is pregnant," remarked Dr Serena Oh, assistant director of Veterinary Services at Wildlife Reserves Singapore. "We will wait and hope for the best.”
Photos: Wildlife Reserves Singapore
The folks running Singapore Zoo certainly had the panda's best interests in mind when they induced Kai Kai & Jia Jia into the mood for sexytime as the mating season arrives.
In what is the panda equivalent of dimming the lights and putting on some Marvin Gaye, the River Safari's keepers and vets have employed a number of measures since last November to trigger their breeding cycles, including varying the daylight hours and temperature in the enclosure to simulate the changing of seasons of their homeland in China.
And respond they did, the two endangered bears — who are notoriously difficult to breed — started bleating, scent-marking and performing other seduction techniques to indicate their horniness.
It was on the evening of Apr 17 that the reserve's researchers, keepers and vets gathered together excitedly to watch two animals attempt to have (unsuccessful) sex for 40 minutes. That's certainly something to write home about. Oh hey, they took pictures too:
A decision was also made to carry out artificial insemination to increase Jia Jia's chances of conceiving, relieving Kai Kai of his embarrassing obligation to do the deed (and fail) once again.
“In the next few months, we will continue to monitor Jia Jia’s hormone levels and conduct ultrasounds to determine if she is pregnant," remarked Dr Serena Oh, assistant director of Veterinary Services at Wildlife Reserves Singapore. "We will wait and hope for the best.”
Photos: Wildlife Reserves Singapore