SAN DIEGO -- Bai Yun isn't the sort of panda to breed on the first date. But after two days of the equivalent of dinner (bamboo), candlelight (bamboo) and soft music (more bamboo), the female panda appeared to have hit it off with her male counterpart, Gao Gao.

San Diego Zoo researchers confirmed Monday that the two giant pandas mated on Saturday. Not just once, but three times.

Researchers said that they were able to observe and record the courting and mating behavior of the two pandas.

"This is a really exciting time for us," giant panda conservation team leader Dr. Don Lindburg said.

"Based on Bai Yun's hormone levels, we believe she ovulated on Friday night. On Saturday morning she was completely receptive to Gao Gao's mating attempts. They successfully mated three times," Lindburg said.

Zoo researchers started pairing the giant pandas together for short periods of time on Thursday, hoping that a successful mating would occur over the weekend when she would be ovulating.

Since female giant pandas only go into estrus for 2 to 3 days a year, the window of opportunity for successful mating is very limited.