TOKYO: Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said Friday that signs of pregnancy have been confirmed for Shin Shin, a female giant panda at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo.

Shin Shin began to show signs of heat on March 4, and was found mating with Ri Ri, the male giant panda at the zoo in Taito Ward, on March 6.

The zoo will keep a watch on Shin Shin’s condition as a giant panda can show signs of pregnancy even when she is not pregnant.

The public viewing of Shin Shin was suspended from Friday due to changes in her behavior, such as a loss of appetite and an increase in rest time, according to the zoo.

If a baby is born between the two pandas, it will be the first birth of a giant panda at the zoo since Xiang Xiang was born in June 2017.

“I’m really looking forward to telling you good news of the birth of a baby,” Koike told reporters.

Yasumasa Tomita, deputy head of Ueno Zoo, said the zoo will bring all of its strengths together to manage the panda’s physical condition.

“We would be happy if you could watch over her fondly,” Tomita said.

JIJI Press