The last few days have been very exciting in the panda building as we have seen Fu Ni progress to the next stage of breeding season. The behavioural changes observed have included a significant increase in the number of scent marks; changing from one to two a day, to 50-100 a day. We’re also observing a big increase in vocalisations not just from Fu Ni, but from Wang Wang as well. Being solitary animals, outside of breeding season, Giant Pandas have no interest in one another. As we come closer to breeding season, the building becomes alive with the chatters of this beautiful pair. Fu Ni has been chirping away, and is now super chatty, chirping even when Wang Wang is not around. While Wang Wang has just started his first bleats of the season. These vocalisations will continue to increase over the coming week, before falling eerily silent again just prior to ovulation.
As we get even closer, both pandas become more focused on breeding behaviours, and are less responsive to zoo keepers. This means it takes a lot longer to carry out such tasks as obtaining urine for hormone analysis, and moving one panda into the other’s territory, as they are so preoccupied with smelling each other’s scent marks, and leaving their own messages for each other.
Be sure to stay tuned for further updates….
Lucy Catt
Acting Senior Panda Keeper
