Zoos SA has announced the names of the two new black and white bears that will soon be heading to Adelaide Zoo!
South Australia’s new Giant Panda pair, Xing Qiu and Yi Lan, will arrive at Adelaide Zoo later in the year.
At the 2024 Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Zoos SA shared the names of the two new black and white bears that will soon be heading to Adelaide Zoo.
Male, Xing Qiu, (pronounced shing chee-y-ull) and female, Yi Lan (ee-lun), will travel from China to settle into Bamboo Forest later this year.
Described as a very handsome panda, Xing Qiu, 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)
Since Wang Wang and Fu Ni arrived at Adelaide Zoo in 2009, numbers of Giant Pandas have increased in the wild and their conservation status has improved from endangered to vulnerable thanks to the work of conservationists across the globe.
Book your tickets to the Adelaide Zoo to say goodbye to Wang Wang and Fu Ni before they leave for China.
Tickets: Adults $46 | Child $24.50 | Family Pass $115
CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS
For more information and all enquiries please visit the Adelaide Zoo website.
What: New Giant Pandas – Xing Qiu and Yi Lan
When: Arriving late in 2024 (date TBC)
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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