TOKYO:

Japanese well-wishers flocked to a Tokyo zoo Wednesday to get their last glimpse of a possibly pregnant panda before she goes into confinement.

Eleven-year-old Shin Shin, who mated with male Ri Ri February, appeared imperiously unruffled by the attention as she sat munching on bamboo and playfully rubbed the husks on her furry belly in front of a large crowd at Ueno zoo.

The panda will be removed from public viewing from Thursday, officials said.

“I won’t be able to see her for a while so I decided to come and see her today,” zoo visitor Yukari Oshima told AFP.

“I’m looking forward to seeing a baby panda,” said Yu Takahashi, a junior high school student on a visit with classmates.