Airline pilots have been asked not to fly over Edinburgh Zoo so as not to disturb the animals, including the zoo’s giant panda Tian Tian, during breeding season. A Notice to Airmen, or NoTam, was issued by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority requesting pilots avoid airspace above the zoo for the month of July, which is breeding season for the zoo’s penguins. “Following a request from Edinburgh Zoo through the air traffic control unit at Edinburgh Airport, we issued a NoTam on July 11 requesting pilots to not fly within a one-mile radius of the zoo or below 1,900 feet above sea level,” said a CAA spokesperson.
At the zoo a close eye is also being kept on Tian Tian to ensure she doesn’t miscarry. Tian Tian, who was inseminated in April, is believed to be pregnant; zookeepers “are keeping their fingers crossed.” The panda was successfully inseminated last year but lost her cub at late term, something the zoo is wary of happening again. She needs peace and quiet, people, and perhaps some ice-cream to go with her bamboo.