On February 27, 2017, Giant Panda Shin Shin was observed exhibiting behaviors typical of the peak of estrus, such as raising her tail and assuming a position to receive a male. When she was placed with the male Ri Ri, mating was confirmed three times in total: once in the morning and twice in the afternoon. This marks the first confirmed mating in four years, and Shin Shin may be pregnant. Ueno Zoo has begun preparations for the birth, assuming Shin Shin is pregnant.


Li Li and Shin Shin when they were living together on February 27, 2017.
Ueno Zoo 's efforts to breed Giant Panda began in 1972 with the arrival of the first pair, "Kang Kang" (male) and "Lan Lan" (female), to commemorate the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, and this year marks their 45th anniversary. Kang Kang and Lan Lan mated for three consecutive years in 1977, 1978, and 1979, but unfortunately, there were no signs of pregnancy, and no births occurred. When the female, Lan Lan, died in September 1979, an autopsy confirmed the presence of a fetus.


Kankan and Ranran arrived at the park on October 28, 1972.
The second pair, "Feifei" (male), who arrived at the zoo in 1982, and "Huanghuang" (female), who arrived in 1980, did not mate even when kept together, so artificial insemination was performed. As a result, "Chuchu" (male) was born in 1985, but unfortunately died after 3 days. The following year, in 1986, "Tonton" (female) was born through artificial insemination and grew up healthy. Then, in 1988, the third cub, Yuyu (male), was born through artificial insemination and grew up healthy.

Tonton during weight measurement		Mother Huanghuang and Yuyu

After You You was transferred to the Beijing Zoo in 1992, a male named Ling Ling arrived from the Beijing Zoo. In 2003, a female named Shuang Shuang arrived from the Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico as a breeding partner for Ling Ling, forming a third pair. However, this pair also failed to mate even when placed together, so artificial insemination was performed. Although there were signs of pregnancy, Shuang Shuang did not give birth and was found to be a false pregnancy. Despite the breeding loan (a contract to lend animals for breeding purposes), Shuang Shuang returned to Mexico in 2005. In April 2008, Ling Ling died. Giant Panda keeping at Ueno Zoo was suspended for about four years.

Ring Ring		Xuan Xuan, who came from Mexico, and former director Sugaya

In February 2011, a new pair (the fourth pair), "Li Li" (male) and "Shin Shin" (female), arrived from China. Mating was confirmed during their cohabitation in 2012, and a baby was born in July, but unfortunately, it died six days later. Mating was confirmed again in 2013, but it was a false pregnancy. After that, unfortunately, mating did not occur in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

And in 2017, mating was confirmed for the first time in four years.

Lily		Shinshin

In the 45 years of Ueno Ueno Zoo 's efforts to breed and raise Giant Panda, the birth and raising of cubs through natural mating (not artificial insemination) has yet to be achieved. This remains an ongoing challenge for Ueno Zoo.

[Toyo Fukuda, director Ueno Zoological Gardens]

(May 26, 2017)