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Wang Wang and Fu Ni

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Coordinates: 34°54′51″S 138°36′24″E / 34.914284°S 138.606616°E / -34.914284; 138.606616
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"Wang Wang" redirects here. For the 1920 jazz composition, see Wang Wang Blues.
Wang Wang in 2011

Wang Wang (born 31 October 2005) and Fu Ni (born 23 August 2006) are a pair of giant pandas who lived at the Adelaide Zoo from 2008 until 2024. Born at the Wolong Giant Panda Research Centre in China, the pair relocated to Adelaide Zoo in Adelaide, South Australia, on 29 November 2009. Wang Wang and Fu Ni were on loan for ten years for $1 million annually as part of a giant panda breeding program,[1][2] but have not bred after more than five unsuccessful attempts by the zoo.[3] Fu Ni has experienced many false pregnancies, which are difficult to distinguish from actual pregnancies. The loan has been described as an instance of "panda diplomacy" between Australia and China.[4][5]

On 24 November 2019, the state government of South Australia signed a deal to extend the pandas' stay in Adelaide for five more years.[6]

Etymology

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Fu Ni (Chinese: 福妮) means "lucky girl" and Wang Wang (Chinese: 网网) means "net net". According to Chinese ambassador Zhang Junsai, the name reflects their hopes that "the lucky girl will fall into the net of love" and have a baby.[7] Wang Wang was given his name whilst in China. In 2009, Mandarin speakers emailed an Adelaide television station arguing that the name was pronounced "wong wong"; this pronunciation is favoured by the Adelaide Chinese community.[8][9]

Early life (2005–2009)

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Wang Wang was born on 31 October 2005, and Fu Ni was born on 23 August 2006,[10] at the Wolong Giant Panda Research Centre in China.[7][11] President Hu Jintao first offered them to Australia at the 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Sydney.[12] The 2008 Sichuan earthquake caused the destruction of the research centre and the death of Mao Mao, Wang Wang's mother, and the pandas were relocated to the Bifengxia Giant Panda Breeding Centre.[7][13]

Arrival at Adelaide Zoo (2009–2010)

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Wang Wang and Fu Ni arrived at Adelaide Zoo in Adelaide, South Australia, on 29 November 2009, escorted by police in a climate-controlled semitrailer.[13] They first appeared on 13 December after Governor-General Quentin Bryce officially opened their enclosure.[14][15] 175 families helped to plant bamboo for them.[16] Initially on loan for ten years as part of a global giant panda breeding program,[13] Wang Wang and Fu Ni are the only giant pandas in the Southern Hemisphere.[7] A large amount of media attention was given to their arrival,[9] and the loan has been described as an instance of "panda diplomacy" between Australia and China.[4][5]

On 12 January 2010, the pair were released from their glass enclosures into their exhibit after a period of quarantine, ordered by minister Penny Wong.[17] They also joined Earth Hour as "official ambassadors".[18]

Zoos SA borrowed $6.7 million to fund the pandas, while a lack of sponsors added to the debt. The state government invested $18.9 million for the new entrance and fence, and the zoo paid $8 million dollars for the new exhibit from sponsors, donors, and loans. After Wang Wang and Fu Ni's arrival, Adelaide Zoo's visitors grew 70% and membership to Zoos SA had grown 25%.[1][19] However, after initial expectations that the pandas would contribute $600 million to the South Australian economy in the course of a decade, visitor numbers returned to the same levels before their arrival by 2010.[12]

Life at Adelaide and breeding attempts (2010–2024)

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In late 2011, they were introduced together for the first time after previously being separated by wire mesh for breeding. As when they first arrived they were in the same exhibit until Funi reach sexual maturity.[20]

When she begins her oestrus cycle, Fu Ni climbs her tree in the enclosure. She has experienced several pseudopregnancies, which are difficult to distinguish from actual pregnancies as her blood tests, chemical signals, and behavior all indicate she is pregnant.[5] She underwent one in early 2017.[21] Giant pandas have a short annual window to breed, often around 24–72 hours.[22]

In 2019, Prime Minister Scott Morrison criticized Labor's pledge to fund Wang Wang and Fu Ni for five more years, saying that Queensland floods should be more of a priority.[23] On 24 November 2019, the Government of South Australia signed a new agreement with China to fund the pandas for five more years, after the initial ten-year deal had expired and the pandas were set to return to China. There have been five previous unsuccessful attempts to get the pair to mate.[24] There have also been four or more attempts to artificially inseminate Fu Ni, including three procedures in 2017 and another planned in late 2022.[25][26] Adelaide Zoo confirmed that Fu Ni had undergone either a "pseudopregnancy or a loss" in February 2023.[27] Due to the pandas' continued failure to breed, it is possible the zoo might seek out a new pair of pandas after the new contract expires in November 2024.[28]

On 15 November 2024, Wang Wang and Funi returned to China following the expiration of their contract with Adelaide Zoo. Two new pandas will arrive at the zoo by December 2024 following a new deal between Australia and China.

Exhibit

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Wang Wang and Fu Ni's exhibit is called the Bamboo Forest.[29] It is also home to two red pandas, Ravi and Mishry,[30] and Manu, a blue and gold macaw. Dr. Phil Ainsley is the head of the team of panda handlers at Adelaide Zoo.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Peddie, Clare (26 December 2010). "Wang Wang leaves giant panda debt". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  2. ^ Adelaide Pandas
  3. ^ Desperate Adelaide Zoo hope 'panda porn' will inspire love ABC News, 20 September 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  4. ^ a b Zhou, Christina (22 December 2018). "Panda politics and why China's adorable ambassadors are an important diplomatic tool". ABC News. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d Shepherd, Tory (24 September 2021). "Notoriously sex-shy, Adelaide's giant pandas to try natural breeding in hope of elusive cub". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  6. ^ Giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni to stay in Adelaide until 2024 after agreement with Chinese owners, ABC News, 25 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d "Pandas Down Under: Wang Wang and Funi move from China to Australia's Adelaide Zoo". Los Angeles Times. 14 December 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  8. ^ Allan, Roxanne (17 September 2014). "Hang on a minute — we've been getting it all 'wong wong' with Adelaide Zoo pandas Wang Wang and Funi". The Advertiser. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  9. ^ a b Om, Jason (9 December 2009). "Is Wang Wang w(r)ong w(r)ong?". ABC News. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  10. ^ Zhiling, Huang (31 October 2009). "Panda diplomacy helps repair Sino-Australian rift". China Daily. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  11. ^ Fu Ni in Australia[dead link‍]
  12. ^ a b Ryan, Jillian; Litchfield, Carla (18 March 2019). "Pandanomics is a grey area, but to us the value of giant pandas is black and white". The Conversation. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Benns, Matthew (29 November 2009). "It's giant panda-monium". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Wang Wang and Funi touch down". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  15. ^ "Giant pandas arrive in Adelaide". ABC News. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  16. ^ "China giant pandas arrive in Australia". China Internet Information Center. 29 November 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  17. ^ Akerman, Pia (12 January 2010). "Penny Wong unveils pandas Wang Wang and Funi at Adelaide Zoo". The Australian. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023.
  18. ^ "Wang Wang and Funi join push for a better climate". World Wide Fund for Nature. 18 March 2010. Archived from the original on 17 May 2014.
  19. ^ Schultz-Byard, Noah (21 June 2011). "Adelaide Zoo $24m in debt". ABC Local Radio. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  20. ^ Peddie, Clare; Martin, Sarah (24 September 2011). "Wang Wang and Funi together for the first time in two years". The Advertiser. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  21. ^ Hanifie, Sowaibah (2 March 2017). "Giant panda Fu Ni goes into fake labour at Adelaide Zoo". ABC News. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  22. ^ "Giant pandas Wang Wang and Funi fail to mate; Adelaide zookeepers cite inexperience". ABC News. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  23. ^ Cox, Lisa (17 February 2019). "Pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni to stay in Adelaide zoo under Labor plan". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni to stay in Adelaide until 2024 after agreement with Chinese owners". ABC News. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  25. ^ Gailberger, Jade (25 September 2017). "Three artificial insemination procedures, a first for Adelaide Zoo's giant pandas". The Advertiser. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  26. ^ Dornin, Tim (16 September 2022). "Panda Fu Ni to be artificially inseminated". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Panda breeding hopes dashed at Adelaide Zoo after suspected 'pseudopregnancy'". ABC News. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  28. ^ McGuire, Michael (15 July 2022). "Adelaide Zoo could try to bring new pandas to SA". The Advertiser. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  29. ^ Dornin, Tim (3 February 2023). "No panda cub for Adelaide again this year". The Daily Advertiser. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  30. ^ Prema, Shivé (15 August 2022). "Adelaide Zoo: Escaped red panda Ravi is found in Botanic Gardens". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
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34°54′51″S 138°36′24″E / 34.914284°S 138.606616°E / -34.914284; 138.606616

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