- Title: Panda Meng Meng is pregnant, Berlin Zoo confirms
- Date: 27th August 2019
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (FILE - AUGUST 14, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MENG MENG IN ENCLOSURE, WALKING BACKWARD
- Embargoed: 10th September 2019 15:38
- Keywords: Pandas Berlin zoo China pregnant offspring
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Reuters ID: LVA004ATZUOUX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Meng Meng, the female giant panda on loan from China and currently living in Berlin's zoo, is said to be expecting at least one cub, according to the institution. It would be the first baby panda to be born in Germany.
The exciting news was revealed in a ultrasound scan showing a picture of the "mini panda", posted on the Zoo's web site. The birth of a panda cub would be a breakthrough in its efforts to make Meng Meng and her male partner Jiao Qing breed since they arrived at the zoo in 2017.
Meng Meng and her male companion Jiao Qing mated for the first time in April. Afterwards Meng Meng was also artificially inseminated to increase the chances of fertilisation. Since then, she has undergone a series of ultrasounds - persuaded to sit still with treats of chopped up apple.
Female pandas are only fertile every two to three years, and for just 72 hours, so officials had to act fast.
The black and white bears, loaned to Germany from China, are a show of "panda diplomacy". China only allows the furry ambassadors to be hosted in countries where it has strong relations.
(Production: Holger Koerner, Ute Swart) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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