Because captive pandas tend to show little interest in mating, scientists who are concerned about their waning populations have resorted to unusual measures like pornography and Viagra. In 2006, 31 cubs were born over a ten-month period following the panda pornography experiment.
The method was popularized following reports of an experiment performed by zoologists in Thailand, in which they showed several captive giant pandas at Chiang Mai Zoo a number of videos showing other giant pandas having sex. Though the researchers behind the project state that they believe there have been successful mating due to usage of sex videos for animals, such success so far has not been achieved outside of China, where 31 cubs were born over a ten-month period following commencement of the experiment. Other methods, including the use of Viagra to sexually stimulate pandas, have thus far been unsuccessful.
