Panda pornography

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In 2009 at Chiang Mai Zoo, Lin Bing was the first panda cub to be born after her parents were shown "panda porn" Lin Bing 2009-08.jpg
In 2009 at Chiang Mai Zoo, Lin Bing was the first panda cub to be born after her parents were shown "panda porn"

Panda pornography (or panda porn) refers generally to movies depicting mating pandas, intended to promote sexual arousal in captive giant pandas. Under zoo conditions, the animals have, in general, proven unenthusiastic about mating, placing their species in danger of extinction. [1] However, in their natural habitat in the wild, pandas are much more successful at mating, particularly as individuals are able to select for behavioural compatibility, as opposed to researchers choosing couples for genetic diversity purposes and trying to predict the narrow window when the females are in the mood. [2]

History

The method was popularized following reports of an experiment performed by zoologists in Thailand, in which they showed several captive giant pandas at Chiang Mai Zoo a number of videos showing other giant pandas mating. [3] [4] Though the researchers behind the project state that they believe there have been successful mating due to usage of mating videos for the animals, such success so far has not been achieved outside of China, [5] where 31 cubs were born over a ten-month period following commencement of the experiment. Other methods, including the use of Viagra to sexually stimulate pandas, have thus far been unsuccessful. [6] Still, panda pornography is thought to be hardly used by most zoo-keepers, as the animals have poor eyesight, making scent and sound more important. [2]

The director of giant panda breeding in Chengdu, Zhang Zhihe, reports that the mating time of pandas ranges from 30 seconds to several minutes. In terms of pornography, recorded footage of mating pandas with both sights and sounds is used to draw the interest pandas. In addition, pandas are made to do specialized exercises that strengthen the males' hind legs and stamina. [7]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Facial (sexual act)</span> Sexual activity involving ejaculating on the face of another

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homosexual behavior in animals</span> Sexual behavior among non-human species that is interpreted as homosexual

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pornography</span> Portrayal of sexual subject matter

Pornography has been defined as sexual subject material "such as a picture, video, or text" that is intended for sexual arousal. Indicated for the consumption by adults, pornography depictions have evolved from cave paintings, some forty millennia ago, to virtual reality presentations. A general distinction of adult content is made classifying it as pornography or erotica.

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A pornographic film actor or actress, pornographic performer, adult entertainer, or porn star is a person who performs sex acts in video that is usually characterized as a pornographic movie. Such videos tend to be made in a number of distinct pornographic subgenres and attempt to present a sexual fantasy; the actors selected for a particular role are primarily selected on their ability to create or fit that fantasy. Pornographic videos are characterized as either softcore, which does not contain depictions of sexual penetration or extreme fetishism, and hardcore, which can contain depictions of penetration or extreme fetishism, or both. The genres and sexual intensity of videos is mainly determined by demand. Depending on the genre of the film, the on-screen appearance, age, and physical features of the actors and their ability to create the sexual mood of the video is of critical importance. Most actors specialize in certain genres, such as straight, bisexual, gay, lesbian, bondage, strap-on, anal, double penetration, semen swallowing, teenage, orgy, age roleplay, fauxcest, interracial or MILFs and more.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gay pornography</span> Pornography depicting sex acts between males

Gay pornography is the representation of sexual activity between males. Its primary goal is sexual arousal in its audience. Softcore gay pornography also exists; which at one time constituted the genre, and may be produced as beefcake pornography directed toward heterosexual female, homosexual male and bisexual audiences of any gender.

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Tian Tian is a female panda born on 24 August 2003 at the Beijing Zoo from mother Niu Niu and father Ying Ying, and currently resident at Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland. She arrived in Edinburgh in December 2011 together with a male panda named Yáng Guāng. Currently they are the only two pandas in the United Kingdom. They are on loan from the Bifengxia Breeding Centre in China at a cost of £640,000 per year.

As of 2019, there are 27 zoos in 21 countries outside of mainland China, that have giant pandas. These zoos have contracts with China to house these pandas for a few years. The two exceptions are the three pandas held at Taipei Zoo, which are owned by the Taiwanese government, and one panda held in Mexico. Giant pandas are on the IUCN Red List so part of the reason these contracts exist between China and international zoos is to try to help the species reproduce before they are brought back to their native land. For this reason, pandas are treated very well.

References

  1. Gray, Denis (November 23, 2006). "Pandas Getting New View of Mating Ritual". The Washington Post . Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Magazine, Smithsonian; Gross, Rachel E. "Why Panda Sex Isn't Black and White". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  3. Prapanya, Narunart (January 25, 2006). "'Panda porn' to encourage mating". CNN . Retrieved August 17, 2007.
  4. Handwerk, Brian (November 13, 2006). "Panda "Porn" to Boost Mating Efforts at Thai Zoo". National Geographic News . Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2007.
  5. "Panda porn pays off". Ananova . Archived from the original on December 1, 2006. Retrieved August 17, 2007.
  6. "Pandas unexcited by Viagra". BBC News . September 9, 2002. Retrieved August 7, 2007.
  7. Ward, Clarissa. "'Panda Porn' to Boost Male's Sex Drive". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-06-05.