Giant pandas Ying Ying and Le Le from Hong Kong Ocean Park finally mate after 10 years. This comes after the zoo has been shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With more privacy, the two have started to show signs of mating since early March.
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In a press release, Hong Kong Ocean Park said, “This is the first success since the two giant pandas began attempts at natural mating a decade ago, through which the Park hopes to bring to Hong Kongers exciting pregnancy news later this year while further contributing to the conservation of the vulnerable species.”
(Photo from HongKong Ocean Park)
Michael Boos, Executive Director in Zoological Operations and Conservation at Ocean Park also said, “If successful, signs of pregnancy, including hormonal level fluctuations and behavioral changes, may be observed as early as late June.”
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However, Boos adds that it is not clear if the panda is pregnant, but hopes that they could bear the pregnancy news by then. Nonetheless, this still comes as good news to the conservation of the species.
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