After eight years of waiting, will Hong Kong’s Ocean Park see its first locally conceived panda cub?

Enclosure shuts as Ying Ying and Le Le enter mating season with hopes that the pandas, a species known for sexual apathy, can produce offspring

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Panda pair Ying Ying and Le Le were a gift from the central government to mark the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover in 2007. Photo: Ocean Park

Published: 8:02am, 20 Apr 2018Updated: 2:41pm, 20 Apr 2018

Fans of Ocean Park’s panda pair Ying Ying and Le Le are expecting good news, as the park on Thursday announced the start of breeding season for two of its most recognisable mascots.

Now into their eighth year of trying to conceive – either naturally or through artificial means – the pair, if successful, would give the city its first ever locally born panda cub.

Hopes were dashed last year after signs of Ying Ying becoming pregnant from artificial insemination turned out to be a phantom pregnancy.

Read more: Your panda questions answered

On Thursday, Suzanne Gendron, the park’s executive director of zoological operations and conservation, said changes in the pandas’ behaviour and hormone levels suggested the start of mating season, which typically occurs between March and May.

Despite an extensive breeding programme, Ying Ying has been unable to conceive for the past three years. Photo: SCMP

“Ying Ying has displayed oestrous behaviour (females being sexually receptive), while Le Le has shown increased interest in her scent and leaving his own scent markings around the habitat,” Gendron said.

An expert from the giant panda research and breeding facility in Sichuan province was set to join the park’s veterinary team this year, to boost the chances of successful insemination.