With the pair of giant pandas in Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo now in their annual breeding season, hopes are high that they will produce a cub. 

During their breeding season, usually between February and May, giant pandas are ready for mating for around two weeks, but there are only a few days when female pandas can get pregnant, according to the zoo. Male and female pandas often fight when they meet unless they are ready for mating, as they usually act independently.

Ri Ri and Shin Shin, both 8 years old, are set to have regular “dates” across a fence.

If they show signs they are ready to mate, the two will share a single cage and be temporarily removed from public viewing.