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Giant panda Tian Tian artificially inseminated again
Tian Tian
Tian Tian has been artificially inseminated on two occasions but has failed to produce a cub.
Experts hope it will be third time lucky

The female giant Panda Tian Tian at Edinburgh Zoo has been artificially inseminated again, the Royal Zoological Society (RZSS) have confirmed.

It is the third attempt for Tian Tian, who has been inseminated on two previous occasions but has failed to produce a panda cub.

The procedure was carried out by an expert team of three veterinarians at RZSS yesterday, alongside Doctor Wang Chengdong from the China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Pandas.  Only semen from male panda Yang Guang was used during the procedure.

Iain Valentine, director of giant pandas for the RZSS, said: “Natural mating will also be attempted before the short breeding window comes to a close this afternoon (Thursday) as both pandas remain extremely interested in one another, but as Tian Tian’s transition to peak was so rapid it was a priority to move straight to AI first.
 
“Throughout yesterday (Wednesday) Tian Tian remained very quiet and sleepy, but by 5pm there was a behavioural shift and the results of hormone tests that came back at 7pm, carried out by the University of Edinburgh, confirmed ovulation had occurred. As each individual panda is different and their pattern can vary from year to year, this is why we start hormone monitoring via urine samples so early and continually observe our female via CCTV as the window approaches.
 
“Tian Tian is doing very well and everything went according to plan.”

The panda enclosure is likely to remain closed until Sunday, 29 March. 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.