Panda gives birth in Thai zoo

May 27, 2009, 9:52 GMT

   Bangkok - A panda, on loan from China, gave birth to a healthy cub Wednesday at Thailand's Chiang Mai Zoo, officials said.

   'Today Lin Hui delivered a cub at 10:10 am,' Chiang Mai Zoo director Thanaphat Pongphamon said in a telephone interview with German Press Agency dpa.

   The sex and weight of the baby panda was not immediately known as Lin Hui, the mother, refused to allow zoo officials near the baby, Thanaphat said.

   The birth was hailed as a success for the Chiang Mai Zoo, 500 kilometres north of Bangkok, which has pursued every means over the past six year to make Lin Hui, 7 years old, and her mate Chuang Chuang, 8, conceive.

   At one point, frustrated zoo officials resorted to showing 'panda porn' videos to the bear pair in an effort to stir their passions.

   Finally, artificial insemination was resorted to.

   Lin Hui was pregnant for 93 days, and the birth was without complications, Thanaphat said.

   The panda couple have been the zoo's main attraction since their arrival from China in October 12, 2003.

   The zoo has done a profitable sideline selling panda paraphernalia, including panda poop that was snapped up like hot cakes when it was first was proffered to the public.