Adelaide Zoo to farewell Giant Pandas Fu Ni and Wang Wang
Zoos SA has advised that Giant Pandas Fu Ni and Wang Wang will be leaving Adelaide Zoo and returning to China, while a new pair of Giant Pandas will be arriving at Adelaide Zoo at a future date.
The announcement was made yesterday at Adelaide Zoo during a visit from Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang, along with Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and representatives from the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda (CCRCGP). Many other delegates and dignitaries were also in attendance.
Zoos SA Chief Executive Elaine Bensted advised “we have had the pleasure of 15 wonderful years of hosting Fu Ni and Wang Wang at Adelaide Zoo but, as per our conservation cooperation agreement, it is time for the two to return to their homeland in China.
“Since 2009 the pair has been seen by over five million visitors. Every single one of those visitors has learned something about these unique animals and been drawn into their story of survival and the need for their conservation.
“The arrival of new pandas will continue that storytelling and allow us to engage a new generation in the importance of Giant Panda conservation. Their arrival will be very exciting indeed.”
Zoos SA will work closely with the South Australian Government, the Commonwealth Government and Chinese counterparts on the arrangements and regulatory processes that need to be completed ahead of the new pandas’ arrival.
The South Australian Government has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of the People’s Republic of China to further cooperation between the governments on promoting Giant Panda conservation.
SA Premier Malinauskas noted “we warmly welcome the offer from Premier Li of two new pandas at the Adelaide Zoo, and we look forward to working through the details of their arrival over the coming months.
“Wang Wang and Fu Ni have been a major drawcard at the Adelaide Zoo, delighting visitors from across the world. We know a new breeding pair will provide further delight for many years to come.”
Bensted added “we will all miss Fu Ni and Wang Wang greatly but none more so than their keepers. The team has taken such good care of them, bonded with them and got to know their behaviours, their likes and dislikes. It is hard for the team to have to think about farewells. Their final job is to prepare Fu Ni and Wang Wang for a safe and stress-free journey back to China which we think will be this year. A date is yet to be set.
“Fu Ni and Wang Wang are honorary locals. The public has taken them to heart, coming to Adelaide Zoo from all over South Australia, the country and beyond. The significance of having the only Giant Pandas in Australasia and, for a large amount of time, the only ones in the Southern Hemisphere, is not lost on us.
“Having Fu Ni and Wang Wang at Adelaide Zoo has allowed us to achieve our mission of connecting people with nature and saving species from extinction. Since Fu Ni and Wang Wang’s arrival at Adelaide Zoo in 2009, the conservation status of the species has improved. The downgrading of the species from endangered to vulnerable is, in part, due to the heroic efforts of conservationists in China, around the world and right here at Adelaide Zoo. Together, the efforts to save the Giant Panda has resulted in an increase in their numbers in the wild. We hope that with a new pair of Giant Pandas arriving at Adelaide Zoo that this will only continue to improve,” continued Elaine.
The high-level visit of the Chinese Premier confirmed that the new Giant Panda pair would arrive at Adelaide Zoo in the future. While the specific dates and details are yet to be finalised with arrangements and regulatory processes regarding the moves to be finalised, Adelaide Zoo will once again welcome two black and white bundles of fun.
In the forthcoming weeks, Adelaide Zoo will share more details on the Giant Pandas and details of special events to celebrate Fu Ni and Wang Wang and to welcome the new Giant Pandas.
Image: Zoos SA panda Funi Credit: Adrian Mann
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