A newly-matched couple is under a lot of pressure to produce babies – and they haven’t even met yet.

Two pandas due to arrive at the Toronto Zoo in spring 2013 will have five years to mate.  

Er Shun and Ji Li are on loan from China and will travel to Calgary once their time in T.O. is up.  However, if Ji Li becomes pregnant during her stay in Toronto, the pandas could stay longer.

It’s trickier than it looks: female pandas are only fertile for one 48-hour period every year.

The giant pandas are on loan as part of an agreement between China’s president Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Toronto Zoo said Saturday.

It’s part of a long-term conservation partnership between China and Canada.

“We are honoured to host the pandas at the Toronto Zoo and contribute to the survival of the species for generations to come," zoo CEO John Tracogna said.

"The Toronto Zoo is thrilled to join the small group of countries and highly respected zoo organizations outside of China that have the conservation and research programs, professional expertise, and facilities to provide excellent care for a breeding pair of pandas."

The last time pandas were at the zoo, in 1985, the zoo saw record attendance: 1.9 million people visited the three-month-long exhibit.