Maybe it’s the stress of moving to a new home. Maybe it’s the heat and humidity. Or maybe it’s the constant media attention not giving them a moment’s rest. Wahtever the case may be, Malaysia’s two new giant panda guests are not mating.
It’s not for lack of trying, though. Panda Conservation Centre zoology and verterinary director Dr Mat Naim Ramli told The Star Online that Feng Yi, the female, has been continuously making mating calls indicating she is ready to mate since the pair arrived from China, but Fu Wa, her male companion, has not shown any signs that he will give in to her demands.
“Feng Yi wants to mate but Fu Wa has yet to show interest.
“The problem with Fu Wa is his libido. As Fu Wa was born in captivity, he has to learn how to breed.
“He needs more time and training for this,” Dr Mat Naim told press on Friday.
He added that last year, Fu Wa was placed in an area with females to observe his reactions to the panda mating rituals.
“He did not know how to do it.
“He tried but there was no penetration,” he said.
Female pandas are only fertile for 72 hours a year, and this week is Feng Yi’s fertility period.
“If they do not mate this year, we will try again next year,” he said.
Feng Yi and Fu Wa were tansferred from China to Zoo Negara last week as a symbol of Malaysia’s 40-year old diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China. They will remain in Malaysia for 10 years, and will be showcased to the general public after a month-long quarantine period.
