The oldest actively breeding female panda in captivity will not be giving birth this year, San Diego Zoo Global scientists confirmed Monday.
Bai Yun has given birth to six giant panda cubs: Hua Mei, Mei Sheng, Su Lin, Zhen Zhen, Yun Zi and Xiao Liwu.
An attempt to artificially inseminate the 23-year-old panda in April has not been successful.
Zookeepers resorted to the procedure when breeding sessions between Bai Yun and the zoo's male panda, Gao Gao, were unsuccessful.
As many San Diegans are aware, pandas can get pregnant for just 48 to 72 hours each year.
If Bai Yun had been pregnant, she would have been one of the oldest giant pandas to give birth, the zoo said in a written release. She comes from good genes since her mother is the current record holder.
The San Diego Zoo’s giant pandas are on a research loan from the Chinese government, which can recall the pandas to their native land after they turn 3 years old.
