A 16-year-old giant panda will leave her home in Mexico City's Chapultepec Zoo early next month to engage in a breeding mission with the only resident giant panda at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, it was revealed Monday.
Shuan Shuan, from Mexico, will try to breed with 18-year-old Ling Ling, who has already failed to impregnate three pandas at the Mexican zoo in three separate attempts since 2001, according to officials at Ueno Zoo, which is located in Taito Ward.
They said it is the first time for the Japanese zoo to invite a female panda for breeding purposes.
Ling Ling's third impregnation attempt at Chapultepec Zoo lasted three months, beginning in January.
The first took place from January 2001 to April the same year, while the second took place from November 2001 to April 2002.
All attempts also involved artificial insemination.
If any cubs are born, the first would go to Chapultepec Zoo, with the second to Ueno Zoo.
Ling Ling is the only giant panda at Ueno Zoo since Tong Tong, a female, died in July 2000.
