Dim the lights and cue the Barry White. The Detroit Zoo has found a new mate for its 7-year-old red panda, Ta-Shi. Her potential suitor, 3-year-old Shifu, arrived in December with a 鈥渂reeding recommendation鈥 as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan 鈥 a sort of zoo-animal-dating service to bolster the populations of threatened species. The red panda鈥檚 mating season is January through March, a perfect time for these otherwise solitary creatures to be struck by Cupid鈥檚 arrow.
Despite their name, the house-cat-sized red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) aren鈥檛 actually bears. They鈥檙e found in the mountainous regions of Nepal, Myanmar, and central China, and because of deforestation, they鈥檙e considered 鈥渧ulnerable.鈥
Since her arrival in November 2008, Ta-Shi鈥檚 had a successful mommy track record, spawning five cubs (her most recent, Sherman, still resides at the Detroit Zoo). Zoo staffers say she鈥檚 very attentive and protective of her babies and that she also has quite the sweet tooth. Her favorite treat: dried cherries.
The Detroit Zoo hosts its second annual Love Gone Wild event on Valentine鈥檚 Day, from 6:30 鈥 10 p.m. This 21-and-older evening examines animal dating and mating behavior, and includes drinks, a strolling supper, and dessert. Tickets are $75 for members ($85 non-members). For more information, visit .
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