Zoos SA has announced the two new Giant Pandas will be arriving at Adelaide Zoo over the weekend of 14 December 2024.
Giant Pandas, Yi Lan and Xing Qiu will make the 15-hour journey from Dujiangyan to Adelaide in December and once they arrive in Bamboo Forest, they will complete a mandatory quarantine period and during this time the forest will be closed.
Male, Xing Qiu, (pronounced shing chee-y-ull) is described as a very handsome panda, is three years old with a docile but lively personality.
Meaning “star Autumn”, Xing Qiu’s name describes his birth season and the starry sky that was twinkling above on the night he was born.
Three-year-old female Yi Lan is described as a playful and very beautiful panda. Her name means “idly blissful”.
LEARN HOW TO PRONOUNCE THE NEW PANDA NAMES HERE
Zoos SA Chief Executive, Elaine Bensted, said the arrival of new pandas will mark the next conservation chapter for Giant Pandas at Adelaide Zoo.
“We’ve been in constant communication with our Chinese counterparts to discuss the Giant Pandas that would be the best fit for Adelaide Zoo,” Elaine said.
“After careful consideration and many online discussions, Xing Qiu and Yi Lan were chosen as the pair that will make the journey to Australia.
“They are both young pandas and were chosen with not only their ability to adapt to the Adelaide environment in mind but also their suitability as a breeding pair when they are older.
“It is an honour to be entrusted with the care of such a beautiful species. Their arrival will allow us to continue to spark a love for Giant Panda conservation not only here in South Australia but around the world.”
Giant Pandas reach breeding maturity between four and seven years of age and can breed into their 20s. Female pandas ovulate only once a year in spring.
Zoos SA is working closely with the South Australian Government, the Commonwealth Government and Chinese counterparts on the next steps for the pandas’ arrival including movement arrangements and regulatory processes.
“Wang Wang and Fu Ni have been a major drawcard for our state, and we are excited to welcome Xing Qiu and Yi Lan – who will continue to delight locals and visitors from across the world for many years to come,” said The Honourable Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia.
After 15 years, Adelaide Zoo’s current Giant Panda pair, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, will return to China before the end of the year.
There are a number of special celebrations planned to farewell Wang Wang and Fu Ni and welcome Xing Qiu and Yi Lan to Adelaide. Zoos SA will keep the community updated on all Giant Panda news over the coming months.
(Images below are of Wang Wang and Fu Ni)
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Adelaide Zoo website.
What: New Giant Pandas – Xing Qiu and Yi Lan
When: Arriving weekend of 14 December 2024
Where: Adelaide Zoo | Frome Road, Adelaide
Who: Everyone
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: all photos by Adelaide Zoo
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