EDINBURGH ZOO DECIDED today was the day for giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang to meet for the very first time.
The pandas, who have been promised to each other, were taken out of their usual observation pens in preparation for mating (and to give them some privacy).
Experts decided the time was right for mating after weeks of hormone and behavioural testing.
Tian Tian, the female, can be heard calling out to the male Yang Guang in this amazing footage released by the Zoo.
The meeting took place in an off-show den to ensure the animals’ safety and to allow panda keepers a higher degree of control.
Yang Guang showed no signs of aggression during their time together, which included him mounting Tian Tian and panda wrestling (!).
The pandas are due to meet again this evening.
