The panda is not pregnant
The panda is not pregnant
Following the artificial insemination this spring, we now have the final answer: the female panda is not pregnant. Observations and scans carried out over the past few weeks show that there is no panda cub on the way.
In April, we carried out an artificial insemination of the female panda in close collaboration with international experts. This followed several years of attempts at natural mating that did not result in pregnancy. Both the timing and the insemination itself went as hoped, but when it comes to pandas, the path to producing offspring is far from straightforward.
Female pandas come into heat only once a year, often for less than 72 hours. This means the timing has to be extremely precise. At the same time, experience from Chinese breeding centres shows that the likelihood of pregnancy following artificial insemination is around 40 per cent.
“Naturally, we had hoped for a different outcome. This year, we introduced artificial insemination as a new approach, and both the procedure and the timing looked promising. But we also know that uncertainty is part of the process, as reproduction in pandas is complex,” says Mads Frost Bertelsen, Zoological Director.
You may have noticed that the female panda has been spending more time on her own recently. This is completely normal behaviour. Female pandas can experience what is known as a pseudopregnancy, in which both hormone levels and behaviour closely resemble those of an actual pregnancy. They may also retreat to a birthing den even when they are not going to give birth.
This is one of the reasons why it is so difficult to determine at an early stage whether a panda is pregnant. We have therefore monitored her development closely with regular ultrasound scans, but only now can we confirm with certainty that there is no cub on the way.
The female panda is doing well and will gradually return to her normal routines over the coming period. At the same time, we are evaluating this year’s process together with our Chinese partners and considering the options for the next breeding season.
Although there will be no panda cub this time, this year’s process has given us new knowledge about panda reproduction and behaviour. We will take that knowledge forward in our work to give the pandas the opportunity to experience as many aspects of their natural life cycle as possible, including mating, reproduction and caring for offspring.
Shouldn’t it have worked, given that artificial insemination was used?
Although the method is well established, there is no guarantee of success. Experience from Chinese breeding centres shows that the likelihood of pregnancy is around 40 per cent. Timing plays a crucial role, as the female panda comes into heat only once a year and for a very short period. Her hormone levels are therefore monitored closely, and the insemination is timed precisely in relation to ovulation. Although the timing in this case was perfect, there is unfortunately no guarantee of success, and the male’s semen quality was not optimal.
Why is it so difficult for pandas to become pregnant?
Panda reproduction is biologically and behaviourally complex. The female comes into heat only once a year, often for less than 72 hours, making timing critical. However, as a general rule, it is not necessarily “difficult” for pandas to become pregnant.
She went into a birthing den, so why isn’t she giving birth?
Female pandas almost always retreat to a birthing den, even when they are not going to give birth, because their biology can cause a pseudopregnancy (false pregnancy). This means that the body behaves as though it were pregnant: hormone levels change, behaviour shifts, and the female begins to seek peace, isolation and a safe place. For the panda, it resembles a real pregnancy, so she follows her instincts and seeks out a birthing den. The female panda has done this every year since arriving at ZOO, and it is completely normal.
Will you try again next year?
Naturally, we had hoped for a birth that would contribute both to the panda’s welfare and, not least, to the conservation of the species. We will now discuss with our Chinese partner how to proceed next year.
Why did you choose artificial insemination?
Since the pandas arrived at ZOO in 2019, the aim has been for them to reproduce naturally. However, after repeated attempts over six breeding seasons, the assessment is that the pandas are unlikely to succeed through natural mating.
The decision to use artificial insemination is first and foremost about animal welfare and giving the female panda the opportunity to experience a central part of her natural behaviour.
Isn’t artificial insemination harmful?
No, it is not harmful. Under a brief anaesthetic, the female panda is inseminated using the same basic method used for artificial insemination in women.
Artificial insemination of pandas is an established practice within the Chinese breeding programme and has been used for decades at the two major breeding centres in China. The procedure is carried out under a brief anaesthetic by specialised veterinarians.
But isn’t it a violation if she doesn’t know it is happening?
The insemination is not a violation. It is a gentle veterinary procedure that the panda does not feel because it is carried out under full anaesthesia. We use it only when natural mating is unsuccessful – which is often the case with pandas because their reproduction is so complex. The purpose is not to force reproduction, but to support the panda’s natural behaviour and contribute to international conservation efforts.
Why do we have the pandas?
ZOO has the pandas as part of the Chinese breeding and exchange programme, which aims to increase awareness of pandas and help secure the species’ long-term survival. The pandas give our guests a unique opportunity to see them up close and gain a better understanding of the important work to conserve threatened and vulnerable species.
Who in China does ZOO have an agreement with?
The pandas are on loan to Copenhagen Zoo from the China Wildlife Conservation Association and are part of an international breeding programme coordinated from China. Any panda cub born at ZOO would therefore also belong to China.
When will the pandas return to China?
The agreement with our Chinese partner, the China Wildlife Conservation Association, runs for 15 years. The pandas arrived at ZOO in 2019.