March 1984

By Vincent Del Giudice

WASHINGTON (UPI) — Pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, putting to rest their reputation as bumbling lovers, surprised even their keepers with the ardor of their spring fling.

Once was not enough for America’s giant panda couple, much to the delight of National Zoo veterinarians.

Ling-ling and Hsing-Hsing may not be ready to join the great lovers of history. Their two trysts Monday lasted a total of five minutes, but zoo officials said that was plenty.

‘All you need is one mating — three minutes,’ said zoologist Dr. Devra Kleiman. ‘They’ve made it. What more can you ask for?’

If all goes well, Ling-Ling could give birth in July or August.

‘We’ve never had a second breeding before … That makes us even more encouraged and hopeful that she will conceive,’ said Dr. Robert Hoage, a zoo spokesman. ‘They learned something last year.’

Ling-Ling gave birth to America’s first panda cub last July, after finally consumating her 12-year relationship with Hsing-Hsing. But the 4.8-ounce male, infected by pneumonia, died in its mother’s arms.

Then, in December, the 250-pound panda contracted a deadly kidney disorder, and zoo doctors feared Ling-Ling might die. But massive doses of antibiotics cured her infection in time for the spring mating season.

Panda keepers, anticipating Ling-Ling would go into heat, let the rare, furry animals from remote forests of China spend the weekend together. After little luck, they were reunited early Monday.

‘Early in the morning, it looked as grim as the past,’ said Ms. Kleiman. ‘It looked like a replay of many years, when the pandas had trouble maneuvering.’

But at 8:08 a.m. and again 1:02 p.m. they mated.