Beloved pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni are expected to still call SA home as Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi meet in Canberra to extend the pairs lease.
Senator Wong said that although further arrangements needed to be finalised during her post-meeting press conference, the pair were on a good path the continue their presence.
The current loan for the pair was expected to end in November this year, however the Adelaide Zoo has remained optimistic they would retain the infamous duo.
The pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, were brought to Adelaide in 2009, and in 2019, the Australian government was granted a five-year extension to their 10-year contract. Despite numerous breeding attempts during their time at the zoo, they have not yet produced offspring.
Wang Wang, 18, and Fu Ni, 17, celebrated their birthdays in back in August where they enjoyed a bubble bath and picnic.
The pair have been a major draw card for locals and visitors with thousands making the trip into the city to see them.
On Wednesday, Zoos SA’s CEO, Elaine Bensted, released a statement indicating that the organisation has not yet received any updates regarding the inclusion of discussions on giant pandas.
“Zoos SA is continuing talks with the China Wildlife Conservation Association around the future of Fu Ni and Wang Wang and giant pandas at Adelaide Zoo,” the statement says.
“We thank everyone for their interest in the future of giant pandas at Adelaide Zoo and the ongoing conservation work we undertake and support to help save the species from extinction.”
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