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Wednesday, 19th June 2013
In General Japan News,

Expert in reproduction to help Ueno zoo panda give birth

Officials from Ueno zoo have suggested that Shin Shin, a seven-year-old panda, may be close to giving birth and an expert in the field of reproduction has therefore been drafted in from China.

Workers at the Tokyo reserve said that blood tests taken from the bear last Thursday revealed levels of the hormone progesterone were shown to be lowering. This is significant as the decline occurs in pandas when delivery is imminent.

The expert from the China Wildlife Conservation Association has warned that despite the signs of pregnancy, it still cannot be confirmed whether Shin Shin is about to give birth.

Shin Shin and her mate Ri Ri were brought over from China in 2011, although the zoo accepted its first giant panda from the sovereign state back in 1972.

Public relation manager of Ueno Zoo, Kiyoshi Nagai, suggested that there is a possibility this could be a false pregnancy. Pandas can demonstrate similar symptoms even when they are not carrying a cub.  

Written by  Graham McPherson