Panda fertility experts sent to Taiwan

CHENGDU - Mainland panda experts have been invited to Taiwan to help a mating pair of giant pandas conceive their second cub.

Taipei Zoo residents Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, which were given as a goodwill gift to Taiwan by the Chinese mainland in 2008, are around 11 years old. They had their first cub, Yuan Zai, on July 6, 2013.

The zoo has been attempting to assist the pair to conceive again since 2015, according to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP).

Huang Yan, deputy chief engineer with the CCRCGP, one of the three experts sent to Taiwan, said that despite Yuan Yuan entering her fertile period the pair have failed to mate successfully.

"In addition, artificial insemination has been attempted twice," Huang said.

The experts have pinned their hopes on the artificial insemination being successful as Tuan Tuan has high quality sperm and Yuan Yuan is in a good condition, Huang added.

"After measuring Yuan Yuan's hormone levels, we know that she ovulated yesterday, as a result she is very likely to get pregnant," Huang said.

The team will know if she is pregnant by June, according to Huang.

Giant pandas have a low fertility rate because they are sexually inactive. Female pandas can only fall pregnant once a year and their litters are two cubs at most. The gestation period can last from 60 to 120 days.