Mandai Wildlife Reserve announces closure of Giant Panda Forest from 21-22 April for breeding season
If you’re planning a trip to River Wonders this weekend to catch a glimpse of Singapore’s celebrity pandas, you might want to reschedule.
The Mandai Wildlife Reserve has announced the temporary closure of the Giant Panda Forest from 21 to 22 April, giving panda pair Kai Kai and Jia Jia the “peace and privacy they need” for the short but critical breeding window.
In a Facebook post on Sunday (20 Apr), the reserve shared that the closure is due to the ongoing breeding season, calling for visitors’ understanding as the couple embarks on their once-a-year shot at parenthood.
“We appreciate your understanding,” the organisation wrote.
Female giant pandas only fertile for 24 to 36 hours a year
Giant panda breeding is famously tricky — especially because female pandas like Jia Jia ovulate just once a year, and their fertile window lasts a mere 24 to 36 hours.
This narrow timeframe means every attempt counts. Pandas typically reach sexual maturity between four and seven years of age and may stay fertile into their 20s.
Kai Kai and Jia Jia, who will turn 18 and 17 respectively this September, have been trying to conceive again after successfully giving birth once — a historic milestone for Singapore.
Le Le, Singapore’s first panda cub, now thriving in China
The panda pair arrived in Singapore in September 2012 on a 10-year loan from China, which has since been extended to 2027.
After six unsuccessful breeding attempts, the duo finally welcomed their first cub, Le Le, in August 2021, making history as Singapore’s first and only locally born giant panda.
But as part of the original loan agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, Le Le was sent back to China in January 2024.
By March 2024, the young panda made his first public appearance at the Dujiangyan Panda Base near Chengdu in Sichuan, China.
Source: Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Chengdu on Weibo
According to the Consulate-General of Singapore in Chengdu, Le Le was seen playfully rolling around in the leaves with his new panda pal Qingzai — a heartwarming update for fans who’ve followed his journey from day one.
Source: 柒又-熊猫说 on Weibo
Also read: Le Le makes first public appearance in China, seen playing with new friend
Le Le makes first public appearance in China, seen playing with new friend
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Featured image adapted from Mandai Wildlife Reserve from Facebook and Merkle Singapore on Facebook.
