Put your paws together for South Australia’s new panda pair; Xing Qiu and Yi Lan!
Today at the annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Zoos SA announced the names of the two new black and white bears that 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”.
Zoos SA Chief Executive, Elaine Bensted, said the arrival of new pandas will mark the next conservation chapter for Giant Pandas at Adelaide Zoo.
“We’ve been in constant communication with our Chinese counterparts to discuss the Giant Pandas that would be the best fit for Adelaide Zoo,” Elaine said.
“After careful consideration and many online discussions, Xing Qiu and Yi Lan were chosen as the pair that will make the journey to Australia.
“They are both young pandas and were chosen with not only their ability to adapt to the Adelaide environment in mind but also their suitability as a breeding pair when they are older.
“It is an honour to be entrusted with the care of such a beautiful species. 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.”
Giant Pandas reach breeding maturity between four and seven years of age and can breed into their 20s. Female pandas ovulate only once a year in spring.
Zoos SA is working closely with the South Australian Government, the Commonwealth Government and Chinese counterparts on the next steps for the pandas’ arrival including movement arrangements and regulatory processes.
“Wang Wang and Fu Ni have been a major drawcard for our state, and we are excited to welcome Xing Qiu and Yi Lan – who will continue to delight locals and visitors from across the world for many years to come,” said The Honourable Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia.
After 15 years, Adelaide Zoo’s current Giant Panda pair, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, will return to China before the end of the year.
Today, the zoo kicked off the black-and-white duo’s farewell with a ‘beary’ special two-day Teddy Bears’ Picnic celebration.
Filled with fun activities, crowds gathered to sing the Giant Pandas’ a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ and watch Wang Wang enjoy a scented enrichment bubble bath.
The pand-tastic picnic is the first of a line-up of special celebrations to farewell Wang Wang and Fu Ni and welcome Xing Qiu and Yi Lan to Adelaide.
Zoos SA will keep the community updated on all Giant Panda news over the coming months.
How to pronounce Xing Qiu
How to pronounce Yi Lan
