Yesterday morning saw the physical and behavioural changes in Fu Ni that are consistent with last year’s shift in cytology, indicative of being 5-15 days from ovulation. These suspicions were confirmed yesterday afternoon when cytology results indicated that Fu Ni had made the shift from predominantly blue cells to pink. Even though research in Giant Pandas has found that ovulation could occur from 5-15 days following this shift, Fu Ni has always shown to be on the shorter end of this scale, with last year ovulating just five days following.
We will continue to keep a close eye on Fu Ni, and have started sending regular urine samples off to reproductive specialist at Repromed for hormone analysis. Our colleague from China, Professor Tang, is also on his way to assist us should artificial insemination be required.
As soon as we see behaviours indicating that Fu Ni is ovulating we will start introductions between the pair, and hope to give them a full day to further work on their mating behaviours. If we don’t see a natural mating, we will then proceed with artificial insemination, which plays an important role in the captive breeding of Giant Pandas around the world.
Lucy Catt
Acting Senior Panda Keeper
