The only brown giant panda in captivity tried and failed in its first attempt to naturally mate, according to the Research Center of Giant Panda Breeding in China's northwest Shaanxi Province.  

Qizai, a 120-kilogram, nine-year-old panda was found in November 2009 in Shaanxi Province. He is the only panda with white and brown strips, unlike most which are dominantly of black and white color.  

Zhuzhu, a female giant panda, was selected to copulate with Qizai as she had successfully given birth four times. 

In the second half of June, Zhuzhu was in her estrus cycle. Staff members put the two giant pandas in neighboring enclosures and they soon began interacting. Qizai was seen often trying to pat Zhuzhu through the fence while Zhuzhu also showed interest. But since it was the first time for Qizai, they didn't make it. 

The best time for a giant panda to conceive usually lasts one to three days every year. In order not to miss this period for Zhuzhu, the base eventually attempted artificial insemination. The outcome will not be known until next month.