On Thursday, Japanese zookeepers decided to give a pair of pandas some privacy for mating, hoping that keeping the public at a distance would enhance their chances of success.
According to officials at Ueno Zoo in the Japanese capital, female panda Shin Shin has started displaying behaviors that suggest she is open to male companionship. They emphasize the importance of privacy for her and her partner, Ri Ri, to allow them to mate without disturbances.
“We’ve noticed that Shin Shin is showing signs of being in heat, so we’ve halted public viewing and are preparing to introduce her to Ri Ri,” explained zoo official Mikako Kaneko.
“Female pandas have only a few days in the year when they can conceive, so we are closely monitoring them to ensure we don’t lose this opportunity,” she added.
The zoo reported that Shin Shin’s noticeable behavioral changes include increased walking frequency and vocalizations.
These sounds, described as “love calls,” are a type of squeaking indicating that the mating season is approaching, as stated by the zoo.
Last year, Shin Shin and Ri Ri mated in late March, resulting in a cub born in July—the first giant panda cub at the zoo in 24 years.
Tragically, the cub succumbed to pneumonia within a week, leading to the interruption of regular television broadcasts and emotional responses from the zoo director.
