Ocean Park Panda Ying Ying May Be Pregnant

Ocean Park says its giant panda, Ying Ying, is displaying signs of being pregnant.

It says Ying Ying and male panda Le Le were spotted getting amorous in April, and Ying Ying also received artificial insemination.

She has also been displaying typical signs of pregnancy since the end of July, including decreased appetite and increased resting.

But the park says the signs may well be a pseudo-pregnancy, adding that it will closely monitor changes in Ying Ying’s behaviour and hormone levels.

The park says a panda can be pregnant for between 72 and 324 days, and a pregnancy can only be confirmed by an ultrasound scan 14 to 17 days before the birth of a cub.

Ying Ying had also displayed signs of pregnancy last summer, but in October, the park confirmed that she was not having a cub after all.