After a few intense days of introductions, the experienced staff at Bifengxia was successful in naturally breeding You You with Xiang Ge.
Xiang Ge takes a break to speak to the onlookers
I have to admit that I was skeptical that the pair would pull it off, but after two attempts, Xiang Ge correctly mounted with You You perfectly positioning herself tail up and in the lordosis position. The breeding is considered successful after the male achieves intromission and has a “pandagasm”- in non-scientific terms. If you happened to miss the pairing, you know it was successful when the dozen or so onlookers and staff let out a sigh of relief and a concerted cheer.
It was a special moment for me as well. In the five years that I have been at Bifengxia, this is the first full mating to completion that I have witnessed. To further the positive experience, Xiang Ge was a gentleman with You You. Anytime that he got a touch too rough, she sent him to his corner in a hurried retreat. No missing hair or damaged ears were had during the breeding. The Chongqing Zoo should be excited at the prospect of future cubs.
https://youtu.be/nXdhKI9RQ8A
