Owing to “this year’s unusually early onset of reproductive activity,” the District’s two beloved giant pandas were at it again this week. Zoo officials recently noticed that Mei Xiang — who usually experiences her prime ovulation (and hence, the one really good shot she has at conceiving every year) in March or April — had increased levels of hormones in her urine. That, combined with “distinctive vocalizations” and other such flirtatious behavior, led experts to initiate the complicated business of panda mating.

The pair “attempted…throughout the day Thursday,” but, alas, “competent mating did not occur.” (Well, that’s one way to put it. Ouch. Sorry, Tian Tian.) Hey, maybe they should have tried some panda porn.

In any case, both bears were anesthetized, and Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated in the hopes that her pesky hormonal balance will foster the growth of a cub. The insemination process is quite hit-or-miss with a heavy lean towards the miss; we were pretty bummed out about similar attempts over the last two years, both of which resulted in no new, frolicking little pandas. Then again, 2005’s insemination gave us our good buddy Tai Shan. According to the Zoo, panda gestation typically runs about three to six months, so we should know relatively soon.

We tend to agree with the Post’s assessment on holding back on the cigars and bubbly at the moment, seeing as how Mei Xiang’s next successful pregnancy will be her second in seven attempts — but here’s hoping.

Photo by RoxandaBear.