Giant panda Ying Ying is expected to give birth to Hong Kong first cub soon, according to an announcement made by her zoo handlers on Thursday.

Ying Ying, who is already ten years old, is a long time resident of the city's Ocean Park. Earlier in the year, Ying Ying was inseminated a number of times - both the natural and artificial way - in the hope that she would get pregnant, according to the park's spokesperson.

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Ying Ying tried to mate with her male counterparts at least five times. Only one of them was a success. To make sure that Ying Ying got pregnant, animal doctors also inseminated the female panda through artificial means.

It was in July that Ying Ying gave some indications that she may be expecting a cub. By September, the female giant panda spent most of her time asleep and substantially reduced the amount of food she ate. Ying Ying also became sound sensitive, which are all indications that she was pregnant.

Numerous scans made in the last weeks of September definitely showed that the female panda has a fetus inside of her.

If she successfully gives birth, her panda will be the first cub to be born in Hong Kong.

Ying Ying's veterinarian has cautioned the public that there is still a chance that fetus could be reabsorbed back into the giant panda's body or even miscarry.

Zoo operations head Suzanne Gendron and her staff are not taking any chances. Ying Ying is basically isolated in her home. Day and night watchers are guarding here to make sure that she is not disturbed by the noise in the park. Two panda pregnancy specialist from mainland China have also visited the expectant mother to provide care and helpful tips to the Ying Ying's handlers.

The mating season for giant pandas is extremely short. Female pandas will only make themselves available for three days annually. A pregnant female panda can give birth anywhere between three to five months.

Zoo officials believe that Ying Ying may give birth in one week barring complications.

TagsYing Ying, Giant Panda, hongkong panda, panda cub, Hongkong ocean park, chinese panda, pregnant panda, panda fetus, panda population, Ying Ying pregnant