Thai zoo tries more "panda porn" to foment lust

By Sakul Kittiwongprom

CHIANG MAI, Thailand (Reuters Life!) - Pity the panda. Ever since Chuang Chuang got "married" two years ago, his sex life has become a matter of public concern. Zookeepers have put him on a diet to avoid crushing his partner and have made him watch "panda porn" to get him in the mood.

This week, Chuang Chuang got another installment of suggestive videos after being trained to appreciate them.

"We trained him to see footage and to listen to the sound for 15 minutes a day, and we've shown him the footage for a week now," said Sophon Dumnui, head of the state zoo body that looks after the Chiang Mai zoo in northern Thailand.

"He's learned a little bit, but hasn't yet fully understood. When he heard the sound he showed some interest. We will train him for one more week," Sophon added.

Chuang Chuang and Lin Hui have been at the Chiang Mai zoo since 2003 and were officially "married" two years ago. However, they have shown little inclination to consummate their union.

They have been kept in separate enclosures since December in hope it will make them lust after each other.

In January, the zoo put Chuang Chuang on a diet, reducing the amount of snacks and bamboo shoots he gets.

China used the video technique with its pandas and succeeded in producing a new cub.