Edinburgh zoo says giant panda Tian Tian lost cub during pregnancy

Giant panda had been expected to give birth last week, but experts now suspect she absorbed the foetus into the womb

Edinburgh zoo has said that its giant panda Tian Tian has again lost a cub during pregnancy, despite growing optimism in recent weeks that the zoo's midwifery would finally pay off.

Staff at the zoo had been convinced that Tian Tian's prospects were greater than ever this year after her hormone readings and behaviour showed her pregnancy was going to plan, following her artificial insemination with semen from her mate, Yang Guang, in March.