African trade ministers meet in Cairo to push forward with AfCFTA    Scatec's $3.6bn renewables portfolio part of Egypt's NWFE energy pillar    Egypt's stocks end lower on Sept 16    Egypt launches international architecture academy with UNESCO, European partners    Egypt's President, Pakistan's PM condemn Israeli attack on Qatar    Egypt's PM, Russian deputy PM discuss industrial zone, Dabaa nuclear plant    Egypt signs MoUs with 3 European universities to advance architecture, urban studies    Sisi tells global leaders at Macron's video conference: Israel crossed all red lines    Egypt to begin second phase of universal health insurance in Minya    Madrid trade talks focus on TikTok as US and China seek agreement    Power of Proximity: How Egyptian University Students Fall in Love with Their Schools Via Social Media Influencers    Egypt wins Aga Khan Award for Architecture for Esna revival project    Egypt's Foreign Minister, Pakistani counterpart meet in Doha    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Egypt advances plans to upgrade historic Cairo with Azbakeya, Ataba projects    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Lebanese Prime Minister visits Egypt's Grand Egyptian Museum    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Taipei zoo hopes for baby panda
Bikya Masr Published in Bikya Masr on 25 - 01 - 2012

TAIPEI: Panda lovers in Taiwan may have a chance to welcome a baby panda at the Taipei City Zoo this year in the Chinese Year of Dragon, zoo authorities announced yesterday.
Experts predict that the pair of giant pandas, male Tuan Tuan and his female companion Yuan Yuan are about to enter the fertile period next month.
If everything goes well, the couple could be expecting a panda cub in May the soonest, the zoo said.
The zoo authorities are currently closely monitoring the pair of pandas that are some of the favorite animals at the zoo in Taipei. Top Chinese panda experts may fly to Taiwan to offer assistance when needed to help them conceive.
In the hope of raising the chances for them to conceive, experts at the Taipei Zoo have been strengthening muscles of Tuan Tuan's hind legs for the past months.
The zoo will make arrangements to help the two pandas engage in a natural mating process at the panda house, experts at the zoo said.
On the other hand, artificial insemination will remain an option in the future in order to bring new baby cubs into the world as early as possible, they noted.
The zoo originally had high hopes of welcoming a baby panda last year after experts at the zoo artificially inseminated Yuan Yuan in the hopes of having baby cubs before the end of 2011, but Yuan Yuan failed to get pregnant during the previous attempt.
According to experts, female pandas have only several days a year in which they can conceive. Some males never succeed at natural breeding, so artificial insemination has become common practice when breeding pandas living in captivity
The pair of 7-year-old pandas were given to the zoo by China in 2008 to signify improved relations with Taiwan.
The news came amid a time when Taiwan is celebrating the beginning of the Year of the Dragon in the Lunar calendar.
The Chinese Dragon years typically see more births in Taiwan than other years in the 12-zodiac cycle since the auspicious and lucky sign is closely associated with the emperor and prosperity.
BM
ShortURL: http://goo.gl/F6lTJ
Tags: Panda, Taipei, Taiwan, Zoo
Section: Animals, East Asia

Clic here to read the story from its source.