Is Tian Tian pregnant? Follow her on Panda-cam
Staffs at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland are all abuzz over the possibility that their giant panda Tian Tian may be pregnant.
A rise in progesterone levels was detected in the giant panda on July 15 and then confirmed on August 7.
The rise in hormones and behavioural shifts indicates she may be pregnant but she could also be experiencing a pseudo pregnancy.
If there is a cub, it will be born between late August and early September.
Western Australia Associate Professor and wildlife reproduction expert Monique Paris, flew to Scotland in February to lend her expertise before Tian Tian was artificially inseminated.
Since the artificial insemination Tian Tian has shown nesting behaviour, however both pregnant pandas and pandas experiencing a false pregnancy will do this.
An ultrasound on Tian Tian has not been possible as the feisty female has refused to participate, but not all ultrasounds detect if a panda is pregnant or not and many are inconclusive.
Further results from hormone tests will be available soon - if Tian Tian is not pregnant specific hormone levels should drop back down to zero.
The panda team at Edinburgh Zoo is monitoring Tian Tian closely and wherever you are in the world you also have the ability to keep a close eye on her progress.
The zoo has installed a Panda-cam, click on the link above to see Tian Tian prepare for motherhood … or not.
