Tokyo, Dec 03: A female giant panda has arrived in Tokyo from Mexico in the latest phase of an international romance zoo keepers hope will lead to pregnancy.
Shuan Shuan appeared subdued when she appeared at Narita Airport on Wednesday after a 16-hour flight from Mexico for a rendezvous with 18-year-old stud Ling Ling at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo.
Beijing-born Ling Ling has already paid three visits to Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City, but attempts at natural reproduction and artificial insemination have so far failed.
Zoo keepers are hoping a meeting on his home territory will give Ling Ling the confidence he needs to woo Shuan Shuan, 16, who they say showed interest in him when they last met.
There are only 800-1,000 pandas left in the wild and the endearing black and white creatures are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity.
Females come on heat only once a year for a couple of days and can be picky about partners.
Now middle aged in panda terms, Ling Ling may have only a year or two left as a potential stud.

Bureau Report