Panda couple 'need some space'

A pair of pandas are having a trial separation to see if it puts a spark into their love life.

The couple have been together for five years at Berlin Zoo, but still have yet to produce any offspring.

They are being split up to see if they become more interested in each other after having spent some time apart.

The female Panda, Yan Yan, will not have to move, but Bao Bao will have to go to the general bear area for a while.

Pandas are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, with European zoos

rarely registering new births.

The adult animals generally spend most of their time in the wild alone.

'Panda porn' has even been used in China in a bid to get bored bears to mate.

Last year wildlife experts fitted some breeding centres with video screens where the pandas could see their more adventurous kin getting down to business.