Artificial breeding bid with panda at zoo

The UK’s only female panda has been artificially inseminated in the latest attempt to produce a cub.

Tian Tian underwent the procedure at Edinburgh Zoo during her annual health check.

Keepers said it is too early to know if she is pregnant.

The zoo said in a statement on its website: “We are pleased to say that all went well, though it is too early to know if she is pregnant at this very early stage.

“Tian Tian gave birth once before in 2007 and it really would be incredible for her to experience being a mother again.”

Inseminating Tian Tian is said to be a “critical part of the giant panda international breeding programme”.

There are fewer than 2,000 giant pandas left in the wild and keepers hope her offspring could join them.

Tian Tian previously had cubs in China but not in the UK, where she and male companion Yang Guang arrived in 2011 as part of a 10-year contract with the Chinese government.

A natural breeding attempt was made in in 2012, with artificial insemination used instead each year between 2013 and 2017.

She was artificially inseminated again in 2019.

Yang Guang had both testicles removed in 2018 after tumours were found.

Panda Tian Tian.