The UK 's only female giant panda Tian Tian has been artificially inseminated for a third time after two previous failed attempts . The procedure took place earlier today , before an attempt is made at natural mating with partner Yang Guang later , Edinburgh Zoo said . On the two previous occasions keepers have inseminated Tian Tian she has failed to produce a panda cub . Scroll down for video . Tian Tian in her enclosure : She was artificially inseminated today with an attempt at natural mating to follow . Tian Tian the panda in her enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo : On the two previous occasions keepers have inseminated her she has failed to produce a panda cub . Semen from Yang Guang was used in the procedure carried out by a team of three vets at the zoo , alongside a panda expert from China . Iain Valentine from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland , which runs Edinburgh Zoo , said : 'Natural mating will also be attempted today before the short breeding window comes to a close this afternoon . 'Both pandas remain extremely interested in one another , but as Tian Tian 's transition to peak was so rapid it was a priority to move straight to artificial insemination first . 'Throughout yesterday Tian Tian remained very quiet and sleepy , but by 5pm there was a behavioural shift and the results of hormone tests that came back at 7pm , carried out by the University of Edinburgh , confirmed ovulation had occurred . 'As each individual panda is different and their pattern can vary from year to year , this is why we start hormone monitoring via urine samples so early and continually observe our female via CCTV as the window approaches . 'Tian Tian is doing very well and everything went according to plan . ' Panda reproduction is a notoriously tricky process , with females only ovulating once a year.The gestation period is typically five months and one or two cubs are usually born . Tian Tian stretches after eating her panda cake in her enclosure : Both pandas are said to be extremely interested in one another . The panda enclosure will remain closed until Sunday . Tian Tian ( Sweetie ) and Yang Guang ( Sunshine ) are the first giant pandas to live in the UK for 17 years . The animals arrived on loan from China in December 2011 and will remain at Edinburgh Zoo for a decade . There were hopes that a panda cub would be born last year when Tian Tian became pregnant following insemination . Yang Guang feeds on bamboo as he bulks up for the breeding season : Each individual panda is different and their pattern can vary from year to year which is why producing a cub can be so difficult . Yang Guang stands up as he looks into the enclosure of Tian Tian . Throughout yesterday Tian Tian remained very quiet and sleepy , but by 5pm she had a behavioural shift which meant ovulation was likely . Vets who closely monitored her believe she may have reabsorbed the foetus . Panda reproduction is a notoriously tricky process , with females only ovulating once a year . The gestation period is typically five months and one or two cubs are usually born . The Edinburgh team were assisted by Doctor Wang Chengdong from the China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Pandas ( CCRCGP ) . Tian Tian ( Sweetie ) and Yang Guang ( Sunshine ) are the first giant pandas to live in the UK for 17 years .
Procedure took place at Edinburgh park before an attempt at natural mating . The bears , Tian ng and Yang ##ian , were donated from donors in 2012 . are notoriously difficult to impregnate with ovulation just once a month . Tian Tian must be under 24 hour surveillance to monitor the pregnancy .