Two giant pandas mate at the Bifengxia Panda Center in Ya'an, Sichuan Province. According to ipanda.com on March 30, a total two pairs successfully mated. One pair, Lu Lu and Zhen Zhen, mated for seven minutes and 45 seconds, their longest session this year. The other pair only lasted for one minute and 20 seconds. Gif: Globaltimes.cn

According to ipanda.com, employees strictly monitor the pandas for telltale signs they are reproductively viable, such as eating habits. When in a state of arousal, females usually become more active and make characteristic noises, while males produce a scent to attract females. Photo: weibo.com 
 

Giant pandas are reproductively viable between March and May. Out of the 27 females involved in the breeding program at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Sichuan Province, to date nine have mated successfully. Photo: weibo.com

Photo: weibo.com

Photo: weibo.com

Photo: weibo.com

Keepers also guide the copulating couples with a bamboo pole to ensure success. Photo: weibo.com