If you go down to Adelaide Zoo today you’re in for a big surprise… Adelaide Zoo staff, volunteers, members and visitors celebrated the birthdays of Giant Pandas Fu Ni and Wang Wang with their annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic event.
The Teddy Bears’ Picnic event marks Giant Panda FuNi’s 14th birthday and Wang Wang’s upcoming 15th birthday on the 31st August. The pair received special enrichment created by Zoos SA’s BEEZA group with favourite foods and treats inside.
“The pair had a pirate-themed party this year with a birthday cake each, pirate ships, treasure chests, panda pirates filled with apple, pear, panda cake and sawdust,” said Director of Life Sciences, Phil Ainsley.
“Although Teddy Bears’ Picnic looks different this year due to COVID-19 restrictions we still wanted to celebrate Fu Ni and Wang Wang’s birthdays.
“This celebration not only marks the Giant Pandas’ birthdays but is also a reminder to celebrate Pandas in general. They are a very special and vulnerable species that need our help,” finished Phil.
Wang Wang (Net Net) was born on 31 August 2005 and Fu Ni (Lucky Girl) on 23 August 2006 both at Woolong Giant Panda Research Centre, China and moved to Adelaide Zoo together in November 2009.
The pair are part of the international Giant Panda research, conservation and breeding program designed to preserve this vulnerable species.
In an effort to guide international efforts in creating and conserving suitable habitats for Giant Pandas, Zoos SA, alongside its Chinese counterparts, are helping to develop scientific knowledge about pandas’ nutritional requirements and reproductive biology.
Listed as vulnerable by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature, there are thought to be only 1864 Giant Pandas left in the wild.
This year’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic included a special Free Flight bird show on the spacious Central Lawn area and a hide and seek trail with a yummy Melba’s chocolate for those who find the five cheeky pandas hidden around the zoo.
All visitors are asked to adhere to current COVID-19 guidelines including social distancing, good hygiene and pre-booking tickets online at www.adelaidezoo.com.au/tickets |
