Bye bye Wang Wang and Fu Ni: Giant change for Adelaide’s pandas

Two new giant pandas will replace the beloved Adelaide Zoo pair Wang Wang and Fu Ni after they return to China later this year, Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to reveal on Sunday.

It is understood the existing pair will stay in Adelaide until November, when they will be replaced by a new pair of giant pandas.

The Advertiser in March revealed pandas were set to remain a star attraction at the zoo, with Wang Wang and Fu Ni likely to be replaced with another breeding pair.

This followed a breakthrough in top-level talks in Canberra between Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

It is understood Chinese officials have been working on the issue with the state government.

Adelaide Zoo chief executive Elaine Bensted said Zoos SA was encouraged by continued talks with the China Wildlife Conservation Association “regarding the future of giant pandas at the zoo” but had “no further information to share with our community”.

Revealing Premier Li’s weekend visit to Adelaide, The Advertiser on Monday forecast good news on Adelaide’s giant panda program.

Giant pandas Fu Ni and Wang Wang have been on loan from China since 2009 in an agreement that was due to expire in November this year. They are the only giant pandas in the southern hemisphere.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday afternoon confirmed Premier Li would visit Australia this week, with Adelaide Zoo his first stop.

Premier Li will arrive in Adelaide on Saturday night, officially welcomed by Senator Wong, then visit the zoo and Penfolds wines on Sunday.

The Penfolds visit also will involve Trade Minister Don Farrell, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, Premier Peter Malinauskas and Governor Frances Adamson.

Leading wine industry figures also are expected to attend, including Treasury Wine Estates chief executive officer Tim Ford, Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago and Taylor Wines managing director Mitchell Taylor.

Premier Li will have an official lunch on Sunday with Senators Wong and Farrell before departing for Canberra.

In a statement to The Advertiser, Ms Bensted said Zoos SA would not be issuing further statements regarding giant pandas at Adelaide Zoo.

“If and when there is an update, we will, of course, let you know. As a conservation charity, we appreciate the continued interest in Fu Ni and Wang Wang and the conservation of the giant panda species,” she said.

Originally published as Future of giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni at Adelaide Zoo revealed