As previously announced, Ueno Zoo is gradually increasing the amount of time Giant Panda Xiang Xiang spends living alone, away from her mother Shin Shin, as she grows, and is carefully supporting her development towards independence (for details on the preparation process and current situation, please click here).


Xiang Xiang started eating bamboo and bamboo grass around October of this year (2018) and has been growing steadily. Currently, she can be seen staying with her mother, Shin Shin, for about an hour each day, but even though they live together, she spends a considerable amount of time alone.

Xiang Xiang has been generally calm during the separation, and no health problems have been observed, so her independence is progressing smoothly. Therefore, we will move from the current Step 2, "Separation while roaming outdoors," to Step 3, "Nighttime separation." In Step 3, they will be kept together outdoors in the morning and afternoon (indoors if it is raining, etc.), and separated at night when there are currently many opportunities for nursing.

　Step 3 period: From Sunday, December 2, 2018 for a while


*In the afternoon, the mother and child may be separated outdoors (the mother and child's location is Step 2 afternoon It's the same as that.)
*The placement and timing of the animals' movements may change depending on their condition.

Important notices for visitors to the park
In some cases, such as when a change in Shin Shin's behavior is observed causing her to distance herself from Xiang Xiang, the public viewing may be suspended depending on Giant Panda' condition. Click here for details. Please be aware that there is a possibility of the panda viewing being suspended before you enter the park or join the queue to view the pandas.
In the event that public viewing is suspended, staff will guide visitors inside the panda enclosure and those waiting in line to view the pandas. We ask for your cooperation in following the staff's instructions.

(November 30, 2018)