Meet Adelaide Zoo’s Panda Pair: Yi Lan and Xing Qiu
Adelaide Zoo’s Bamboo Forest is bursting with new life – and not just from the eucalyptus and bamboo. Meet Yi Lan and Xing Qiu, two playful and personality-packed Giant Pandas who made their public debut in January 2025 to the delight of visitors and panda fans alike.
The pair arrived from the scenic Shenshuping Panda Base in China’s Wolong Nature Reserve, and have quickly settled into life at Adelaide Zoo. With their quirky behaviours, favourite treats, and a growing bond with their keepers, they’re already winning hearts.
Xing Qiu: The Autumn Star
Four-year-old Xing Qiu (pronounced Shing Chee-yull), whose name means “Autumn Star”, is as spirited as he is striking. He’s a big fan of anything involving water—hoses, tubs, or just rolling around in puddles. His keepers say enrichment time is a joy to watch, especially when it involves food. Whether it’s tearing into food-filled puzzles or smearing himself in his favourite scent—oatmeal concentrate—Xing Qiu is always in the middle of the action.
His naptime? Always close to his last snack. His favourite snooze spot is a lofty platform or a cool rock, never far from a bamboo stash.
Yi Lan: Blissfully Curious
Three-year-old Yi Lan (pronounced Ee-lun), meaning “Idly Blissful,” is living up to her name with a sweet but razor-sharp mind. She’s quick to investigate anything new, from hanging hammocks and tire swings to bubble machines and scratchy towels laced with cinnamon and nutmeg—her signature scent.
Agile and adventurous, Yi Lan can often be spotted perched high up in the trees or lounging at the top of her slide. She’s even been known to peek out at visitors as they enter the zoo, her little nose and inquisitive eyes popping out from unexpected places.
Her play style is as endearing as it is energetic. From tug-of-war with keepers to rolly-pollies off her hammock, Yi Lan brings a touch of panda chaos wherever she goes. And when she finds her beloved enrichment tubs—filled with sawdust, shredded paper or bubbles—she transforms into a playful whirlwind.
Bamboo Obsessed
Between their hijinks and hammock acrobatics, both pandas spend around 12 hours a day chomping through up to 40 kilograms of bamboo. Despite having the digestive system of a carnivore, pandas like Yi Lan and Xing Qiu survive almost entirely on bamboo. Their ability to peel stalks like bananas and sniff out their favourite species is unmatched.
Yi Lan’s pick of the bunch? Giant Bud Belly bamboo—a knobbly variety she devours with gusto. For Xing Qiu, the answer is simple: all of them. As long as it’s bamboo, he’s in.
Training with Trust
Adelaide Zoo’s panda keepers use positive reinforcement and cooperative care techniques, giving the pandas choice and control in their daily routines. That includes training for medical checks—like presenting their paws, opening their mouths, or standing for health assessments—all in exchange for treats like apple, carrot, and their special “panda cake.”
Yi Lan and Xing Qiu are also treated to daily enrichment to keep their minds sharp and behaviours natural. Whether it’s scent trails, hidden snacks, or novel textures, there’s always something new to explore in Bamboo Forest.
Plan Your Panda Encounter
Want to catch Yi Lan dangling from her hammock or Xing Qiu mid-roll in a bubble bath? Head to the Bamboo Forest at 1:15 pm daily for the Giant Panda keeper talk. It’s the perfect time to see the pair at their most interactive—and learn how Adelaide Zoo is contributing to the global effort to save their species.
From adorable antics to vital conservation, Yi Lan and Xing Qiu are more than just black and white – they’re the heart of a growing legacy.
