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Farewell Wang Wang and Fu Ni

Leave a message for Wang Wang and Fu Ni

Note: Wang Wang and Fu Ni are now off-habitat to prepare for their journey back to China

After calling the zoo home for 15 years, Giant Pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni will return to their homeland in China later this year.

Wang Wang and Fu Ni have a very special place in the hearts of so many. The pair have delighted over five million people since their arrival, spreading the story of Giant Pandas and the need for the conservation of their species.

It has been an honour to be entrusted with the care of such beautiful animals and while it’s hard to think about farewells, we look back fondly on the many memories the pair have shared with our wild community.

If you would like to leave a farewell message for the black-and-white duo and their dedicated keeping team, please submit your note here.

Giant Panda sits on rock covered in bamboo and holding stems of bamboo while munching on them.
Giant Panda Fu Ni climbs a tree that is blossoming with pink and peach flowers
Giant Panda rests in a black tub full of bubbles having a bubble bath
Giant Panda chews on giant white enrichment box
Giant Panda Fu Ni sticks her tongue out as she rests on a branch in a leafy tree
Giant Panda Wang Wang holds a stem of bamboo to his mouth with his mouth open
Giant Panda pictured resting high on a tree branch
Giant Panda holds a paper-mache ball enrichment to their face to eat treats from it
Giant Panda Fu Ni looks out peacefully as she rests on a rock in her leafy habitat

Giant Panda rolls around in bubble bath black tub while children laugh and smile behind glass

15 years of Wang Wang and Fu Ni

The impact Wang Wang and Fu Ni have had on South Australia is giant; not only as icons for our State but also as ambassadors for their species.

Since Fu Ni and Wang Wang’s arrival 15 years ago, the conservation status of Giant Pandas has improved in the wild; from endangered to vulnerable. This is an incredible conservation achievement for those working with the species in China, around the world and right here at Adelaide Zoo.

While we are sad to see the beloved pair leave, we are excited about the future of Giant Pandas at the zoo as we welcome Xing Qiu and Yi Lan to Bamboo Forest.

Two Giant Pandas. One is holding a piece of bamboo.

The future of Giant Pandas

Two new black and white bears will soon be heading to Adelaide Zoo. Male, Xing Qiu, (pronounced shing chee-y-ull) and female, Yi Lan (ee-lun), will travel from China to settle into Bamboo Forest later this year.

Described as a very handsome panda, Xing Qiu, is three years old with a docile but lively personality. Meaning “star Autumn”, Xing Qiu’s name describes his birth season and the starry sky that was twinkling above on the night he was born.

Three-year-old Yi Lan is described as a playful and very beautiful panda. Her name means “idly blissful”.

Their arrival will allow us to continue to spark a love for Giant Panda conservation not only here in South Australia but around the world.

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