China signals breakthrough for pandas to stay at Adelaide Zoo but likely to introduce new breeding pair

Minister Penny Wong announced on Wednesday the likely continuation of a panda presence in Adelaide with the possibility of replacing Wang Wang and Funi.

Pandas are set to remain a star attraction at Adelaide Zoo after a breakthrough during top-level talks between Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

Speaking after a meeting in Canberra on Wednesday morning, Senator Wong said the two nations were “on a good path there to continue panda presence”.

Senator Wong said there were “obviously further arrangements to be finalised”.

“But I think the news of the likely continuation of panda presence at the Adelaide Zoo has been reported and I did say to the Foreign Minister that my children would be very pleased,” she said at a post-meeting press conference.

Senator Wong’s two daughters, Alexandra, 12, and Hannah, 8, were flower girls for her wedding at an Adelaide Hills winery last weekend.

It is likely the existing giant pandas, Fu Ni and Wang Wang, will be replaced with another breeding pair.

Fu Ni (pictured), together with Wang Wang arrived at the Adelaide Zoo in 2009. Picture: Adrian Mann / Zoos SA

Earlier on Wednesday morning, The Advertiser reported some good news was expected to come out of the meeting, relating to the future of pandas at Adelaide Zoo.

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

Zoos SA chief executive Elaine Bensted had issued a statement on Wednesday morning saying Zoos SA had “not been advised whether the topic of giant pandas is on the radar for talks between Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and her Chinese counterpart Minister Wang Yi”.

“Zoos SA is continuing talks with the China Wildlife Conservation Association around the future of Fu Ni and Wang Wang and giant pandas at Adelaide Zoo,” the statement says.

“We thank everyone for their interest in the future of giant pandas at Adelaide Zoo and the ongoing conservation work we undertake and support to help save the species from extinction.”

Ms Bensted on March 8 told The Advertiser she was “hopeful” a new agreement could be struck with China to keep the pandas as a major attraction, after resident pair Wang Wang and Fu Ni’s 15-year fruitless quest to breed was put on ice last September.

“We’ve always been really open that we’d like to see giant pandas as part of the Adelaide Zoo but there’s a few steps that we need to go through and we’re just starting that process now with governance here in Australia but also with China,” Ms Bensted said.

An extension to the lease of the pandas was announced as part of broader high-level talks between Foreign Minister Penny Wong (right) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Picture: David Gray

The pandas arrived in Adelaide in 2009 and in 2019, the Chinese government granted Australia a five-year extension to the 10-year contract.

In their time at the zoo, Wang Wang and Fu Ni had 10 attempts at breeding but did not produce offspring.

The current loan for the pair, owned by the Chinese government, ends in November, but Adelaide Zoo director Phil Ainsley in September last year said he hoped to extend the deal or negotiate for a new set of pandas.

Originally published as China signals breakthrough for pandas to stay at Adelaide Zoo but likely to introduce new breeding pair