Visas for Adelaide’s pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni set to expire in 2023

Adelaide’s resident pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni may have celebrated one of their final birthdays in Australia with their visas set to expire next year.

Adelaide’s resident pandas may have celebrated one of their final birthdays in Australia with their visas set to expire next year.

Wang Wang, who will turn 18 on Thursday, and Fu Ni, who turned 17 on Wednesday, were treated to a bubble bath and picnic at Adelaide Zoo.

According to Dr Phil Ainsley from the zoo, giant pandas “love to swim”.

However, despite the black and white pair having an incredible time this birthday may be one of the last celebrated in Adelaide with their visas running out in November 2024.

Wang Wang is treated to a fruit-scented bubble bath for his 18th birthday. Picture: Adelaide Zoo

Fu Ni during her 10th birthday. Picture: Dylan Coker

Wang Wang is seen exploring his enclosure at the Adelaide Zoo, in Adelaide. Picture: File

Wang Wang and Fu Ni remain the property of the Chinese government who has already granted Australia a five-year extension on its 10-year contract with the giant pandas.

A second contract extension is in the hands of the Australian government and China.

“We’re just starting conversations with our counterparts in China to gain an extension,” Dr Ainsley said.

Wang Wang and Fu Ni have had 10 failed attempts at mating and despite having another opportunity this spring the Zoo and China have not decided whether mating should be considered.

Dr Ainsley said the possibility of the pandas returning to China means deciding whether to have Wang Wang and Fu Ni mate becomes more difficult.

“Transporting a pregnant panda or a panda with a cub is difficult,” he said.

The decision whether the panda pair mates has “no bearing” to the decision whether to extend their time in Australia according to Dr Ainsley.

Adelaide Zoo said the pair have been extremely popular.

Originally published as Visas for Adelaide’s pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni set to expire in 2023