Edinburgh's Giant Panda Is No Longer Pregnant And People Are Joking The Referendum Result Might Be To Blame

    It is thought a late reabsorption of the foetus may have occurred.

    Richard James
    by Richard James

    BuzzFeed News Reporter, UK

    On Monday, Edinburgh Zoo confirmed its female giant panda Tian Tian is no longer pregnant.

    Russell Cheyne / Reuters

    In a statement, the director of giant pandas for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Iain Valentine, said the panda's hormone levels had retuned to normal confirming an end to her pregnancy.

    He said there was no evidence of a miscarriage and instead a "late reabsorption of the foetus could have occurred".

    “Although Tian Tian has not successfully given birth, it is important for her individual biology as a female giant panda and for the future of giant panda conservation across the globe that we tried," Valentine added.

    On Twitter a number of people were sad at the news.

    David Robinson @Davie_Rob

    Tian Tian the panda has lost her baby which is super emotional for everyone involved.

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    Mark Moffitt @Mark_theMoff

    Giant Panda Tian Tian is no longer pregnant. Sad face. Looks like I won't be moving to Edinburgh just yet then.

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    Some though suggested she may have been faking all along after news a female panda in China was thought to have pretended to be pregnant to receive preferential treatment.

    Mazzy K @MazzyK

    Sad news about #TianTian although I suspect she might have been spoofing her pregnancy for buns. Those pandas have form.

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    James Andrews @FinanceJames

    Are we absolutely sure Tian Tian is a girl panda, because that would explain a lot...

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    Many though used the announcement to make yet more jokes and observations about the recent referendum on Scottish independence.

    Alex Baskhanov @alexbaskhanov

    "@STVNews: Edinburgh Zoo confirms panda Tian Tian is no longer pregnant. http://t.co/ruaZf8fw99" What a shite week for Scotland, fs.

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    Gary Mowatt @gazmo57

    So Tian Tian the Panda at Edinburgh Zoo is no longer pregnant, #postindystress?

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    Kilted Ninja @ninjaneil2004

    @wee_things @BBCJamesCook Tian Tian decided not to bother because she heard the child benefit was being cut. #the45

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    Ian Slater @isslater

    Tian Tian no longer pregnant, sad. But Scotland still has more pandas than it has Conservative MPs.

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    Claire Phipps @Claire_Phipps

    It's a No from Tian Tian: the UK's only female giant panda is no longer pregnant, Edinburgh Zoo has announced

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    JB @Jammyhorse

    Serious knock on effects from the resignation of @AlexSalmond https://t.co/9AgjlR3x4U

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    Brian Bollen @brianbollen

    Just heard that Tian Tian is not pregnant; I blame the No voters...

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    Angry Salmond @AngrySalmond

    Tian Tian the panda is no longer pregnant because Scotland is still part of the UK. I warned you this would happen. #SexySocialism

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    Don't worry everyone it's going to be alright.

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