The Edmonton Valley Zoo is sending one of its red pandas on a blind date.
An 18-month-old female named Sha-Lei (shay-lee) is being shipped to a zoo in Madison, Wis., as part of a program to ensure the continued survival of the threatened species.
It’s hoped Sha-Lei will mate with a male red panda at the Henry Vilas Zoo and produce babies.
Animal health technologist Sandy Helliker says Sha-Lei is the offspring of red pandas from Japan, which makes her genetically different in North America.
The Valley Zoo still has five red pandas, including Koko and Lala, the zoo’s original breeding pair and Sha-Lei’s parents.
The zoo plans to continue its red panda breeding program.