Ling Ling, the only giant panda at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, departed Monday for Mexico for a third attempt at breeding with female pandas there, following two previous failures.
Ling Ling, 17, is scheduled to stay at Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City until around April, Ueno Zoo officials said.
The Mexico zoo will attempt to mate Ling Ling with three females, but may also try artificial insemination, the officials said.
Ling Ling went to Chapultepec Zoo for the first time from January to April 2001, and again from November 2001 to April 2002.
Ueno Zoo officials said the breeding program is a joint project with their Mexican counterparts.
Ling Ling has been alone at Ueno Zoo since the death in July 2000 of Tong Tong, a female.