Expert: 'Panda porn' effective for giant pandas of both sexes

CHENGDU, China, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A Chinese panda breeding expert said "panda porn" videos have proven useful in convincing giant pandas of both genders to breed.

Huang Mingxiang of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China's southwestern Sichuan province said male pandas are often shown videos of giant pandas breeding because they have not had the chance to see members of their species have sex in the wild and often show little interest in their appointed mates, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Monday.

Huang said Ke Lin, a 5-year-old, captive-bred female at the facility, was the first female to be trained using the videos. Huang said watching the "panda porn" videos seemed to help Ke Lin mate naturally with male panda Yong Yong.

A picture of Ke Lin watching the "panda porn" was listed as one of Time magazine's "Most Surprising Photos of 2013" in an issue released earlier this month.