KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Feng Yi and Fu Wa, the male and female giant pandas from China, had attempted to mate soon after they arrived here on May 21 but they have been unsuccessful so far.

They now have to wait until next year for any further “romance” because pandas apparently only mate between March and May each year.

Zoo Negara deputy director (hospital and veterinarian services) Dr Mat Naim Ramli said the two eight-year-old pandas, which were still in quarantine, had attempted to mate less than a week after their arrival.

“In the case of Feng Yi and Fu Wa, the peak period (for mating) was from May 24 to May 26 but they did not show mutual interest in each other at the time,” he said.

“When Feng Yi showed interest, Fu Wa seemed reserved. But Fu Wa was rejected when he wanted to mate with Feng Yi later, so we would have to wait until next year.”

He said the probability of the pandas mating in captivity was higher than in the wild as pandas were naturally anti-social and would only mingle with one another during the mating period.

“Last year, 12 out of 19 cubs survived after birth outside of China, and 20 out of 24 cubs were born in China, including that of Feng Yi’s late last year,” he said.

“The conservation efforts in China have been a huge success that they may no longer be an endangered species in the coming years.”

Dr Mat Naim said though the pandas, which were loaned to Malaysia for 10 years, had grown accustomed to local bamboo in their diet, it took them a week to decide on a favourite, which was the betong bamboo.

He said the pandas had a significant weight loss of 3kg to 4kg during their first week here as they adjusted to the  environment.

“However, they are now doing fine as they have regained the weight they lost. Feng Yi weighs 98kg and Fu Wa is 120kg,” he said.

He said the pandas would be in good health as long as they maintained their weight gain.

“Once their bamboo preferences were dealt with, then we have basically settled 90 per cent of the problems that may be faced by them adapting to their new home,” he said.

Dr Mat Naim said supply of bamboo was provided on a weekly basis from a 10ha bamboo plantation in Linggi, Negri Sembilan.

Betong bamboo was also planted in Paya Indah, Klang, for the pandas’ needs for the next two to three years as the pandas were fed a minimum of eight times daily, every two hours.

“They are very picky. They would only eat betong bamboo that are two years old, no more and no less,” he said. Each panda consumed about 30kg of bamboo daily.

He said four zookeepers, two officers and three veterinarians, including him, had been working round the clock to care for the pandas.

“Our working schedule is staggered as we cater to the pandas’ needs and to prepare for the launching of the exhibition to the public,” he said.

Dr Mat Naim said it was likely the panda exhibition would be opened to the public a week after the quarantine period, which would end on June 19.

He hoped that the pandas’ stay here could be extended beyond the 10-year loan period.