Tian Tian will not give birth this year

Tian Tian - the UK's only female giant panda - will not give birth to cubs this year, according to Edinburgh Zoo.

In August, the zoo revealed that the animal was believed to be pregnant but said a due date was too hard to predict.

Tests have now found that the panda's hormone levels and behaviour have returned to normal "as the breeding cycle ends for this year''.

Iain Valentine, director of giant pandas at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), said: It is with sadness that we can confirm Tian Tian, Edinburgh Zoo's resident female giant panda, will not give birth to cubs this year.

Our tests show that her hormone levels and behaviour have returned to normal as the breeding cycle ends for this year.

I would like to thank the expert team of keepers, veterinary staff and others who have shown dedication and tenacity throughout the last nine months to ensure Tian Tian received the very best round-the-clock care.

Her welfare is our top priority and the hard work of our expert team continues to make a significant contribution to the conservation of giant pandas internationally.'