The Calgary Zoo announces another baby panda watch

Baby panda watch has begun at Calgary Zoo.

The zoo announced this morning that they hope to introduce more giant pandas back into the world after having artificially inseminated Er Shun yesterday at 12:17 p.m.

The world is on baby panda watch, but the zoo says that they won’t know if the procedure was a success for several weeks, since pandas experience embryonic diapause – delayed implantation in the uterus.

Er Shun is being cared for in her custom den in the back of Panda Passage, with a comprehensive team ensuring her well-being. When the time is right, she will give birth there.

In 2012, an agreement was signed between the Chinese and Canadian governments for a 10-year breeding loan of giant pandas.

Er Shun and Da Mao arrived in Canada on March 25, 2013 at the Toronto Zoo. After being successfully artificially inseminated, Er Shun delivered her cubs, Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue on October 13, 2015. They were the first giant pandas to be born in Canada.

Giant pandas are an umbrella species and by helping to protect them, other species who inhabit their environment will also be protected. They are a vulnerable species with 1,800 estimated to be in the world.

I case you weren’t aware, you can watch the zoo’s four giant pandas on the PandaCam here!