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Panda Lovin' Leaves DC Zoo Wanting

Bears fail again at 'competent mating'; keepers help out

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 19, 2009 8:40 AM CST

(Newser) – A romantic day in the park amid inaugural hubbub wasn’t enough to propagate the genes of two famous pandas at Washington’s National Zoo, the Washington Post reports. The pair had given mating calls, prompting hopes for the conception of a new member of the endangered species, which is apparently horrible at the reproduction game. But after spending a day trying to mate, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang had no luck—so veterinarians artificially inseminated Mei Xiang.

The operation is still no guarantee of a newborn: of several attempts at inseminating Mei Xiang throughout the decade, only one, in 2005, has been successful—however, it brought baby Tai Shan, a major tourist attraction. It won’t be clear if Mei Xiang is pregnant for up to 185 days, scientists say. She ovulated months earlier than usual this year in an exciting time for Washington—though her political leanings remain unclear.

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

Reproductive scientists at Smithsonian's National Zoo examine Mei Xiang's reproductive tract as they prepare an artificial insemination Wednesday, April 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Jessie Cohen)

Mei Xiang sleeps with her feet up in the air on a hot sunny day, Thursday, June 7, 2007, at the National Zoo in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

National Zoo's male giant panda Tian Tian sleeps on his back taking advantage of the cool summer weather, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007, as he sleeps in the panda enclosure in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

This handout photo provided by the Smithsonian's National Zoo shows Giant pandas Tian Tian, front, and Mei Xiang spending their morning wrestling and playing Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Smithsonian's National Zoo, Jessie Cohen)

Cub Tai Shan with his mother Mei Xiang at the zoo in Washington in 2005. (AP Photo/Jessie Cohen)

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Tian Tian and Mei Xiang play at the National Zoo, Nov. 17, 2008. (catmiko)

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Panda Lovin' Leaves DC Zoo Wanting