A Tiger Huntsman has moved into the Envirodome. This species was only discovered in 2006 near Cairns and remains undescribed - reported on their FB page.
Adelaide Zoo Adelaide Zoo News 2024
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Osedax
Well-Known Member
Cool! Just googled it and they are a beautiful species.
Luke899
Well-Known Member
Wang Wang and Funi will return to China
Reported by 'The Advertiser', after over a decade of failed breeding, the pair are set to be traded for a new breeding pair as part of a warmly welcomed extension to the Adelaide breeding program. Wang Wang and Funi's visas expire in November under the current agreement.
The Chinese premier will arrive in Adelaide on Saturday night and is expected to announce the news at a luncheon at the Adelaide Zoo.
Can't wait for the new arrivals, we're all hoping for the sound of little panda feet in the years to come!!
Reported by 'The Advertiser', after over a decade of failed breeding, the pair are set to be traded for a new breeding pair as part of a warmly welcomed extension to the Adelaide breeding program. Wang Wang and Funi's visas expire in November under the current agreement.
The Chinese premier will arrive in Adelaide on Saturday night and is expected to announce the news at a luncheon at the Adelaide Zoo.
Can't wait for the new arrivals, we're all hoping for the sound of little panda feet in the years to come!!
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Wang Wang and Funi will return to China
Reported by 'The Advertiser', after over a decade of failed breeding, the pair are set to be traded for a new breeding pair as part of a warmly welcomed extension to the Adelaide breeding program. Wang Wang and Funi's visas expire in November under the current agreement.
The Chinese premier will arrive in Adelaide on Saturday night and is expected to announce the news at a luncheon at the Adelaide Zoo.
Can't wait for the new arrivals, we're all hoping for the sound of little panda feet in the years to come!!
This is definitely for the best imo. Wang Wang and Funi have been at Adelaide Zoo for 15 years, 11 of those of which they tried (and failed) to breed. These statistics don’t offer little to no hope of a successful outcome going forward.
Fingers crossed the new pair will welcome Australasia’s first Giant panda cub. Either way, the zoo are collecting valuable reproductive data on this species breeding to a Southern Hemisphere reproductive cycle given >99% of the world’s Giant pandas are breeding in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Sleepy Hippo
Well-Known Member
Would Adelaide Zoo have the bedget for a third Panda?
I wonder if we'll get 3 pandas this time
1.2 would work
I would be surprised if three pandas would be imported. China has never done such a deal, and Adelaide don't even really have the space for this at the moment.
On the flip side, it'll be really exciting for a new breeding pair to arrive. Not really surprising following news of new pandas also heading to zoo/s in the US in the coming years. Fingers crossed better luck will follow this time around; a baby panda in Australia is long overdue!
The original pair should have long ago seen an exchange of breeding partners!
Further observation: It would certainly help if the ex situ deals would involve more multiple male / female pairs in order to better reflect the social structure within range and provide participating zoos with better opportunities to have different pairings within their zoos. The AI procedures' are well .... kind of overrated and a good few times 1.1 pairings are ineffective and sometimes downright hate one another.
I wonder if we'll get 3 pandas this time
1.2 would work
There’s zero possibility of China loaning three pandas to Adelaide Zoo. Giant pandas are always loaned in monogamous pairs and the criteria for loaning them is strict, meaning Adelaide’s facilities in the current state would only be deemed adequate for a pair. I compare this to complexes such as the one at the Smithsonian National Zoo, which has several outdoor yards with multi-level viewing and three indoor exhibits. I will note the latter has been granted permission to keep offspring for longer than the usual two years. Tai Shan (2005) for example was permitted to stay until early 2010, which the complex easily allowed room for.
I agree it’s unfortunate since Giant pandas have a ‘lek’ mating strategy with a female being courted by several males when in oestrous. Aside from the opportunities to mix up non-performing pairs, the stimulant of a rival male may prove inspirational.
I’ll also note that in China, inexperienced (first time breeder) male as often paired with experienced females. Despite this, loans often involve pre-reproductive breeders. Edinburgh are proof prior experience offers no guarantees, but I believe we stand a better chance receiving proven breeders (or at least a proven breeding female).
Luke899
Well-Known Member
I believe the international agree is as follows, that if pandas on loan produce a cub(s) in a foreign country, they must be sent back to China within 2 years of their birth. So If we have cubs we can at least enjoy them for a year or two
The initial agreement that the National Zoo had with China (in place when Tai Shan was born in 2005) stipulated any cubs born must return to China two years after their birth. As I noted above, an extension was granted and Tai Shan returned a few months before his fifth birthday. These extensions are occasionally granted, but are by no means a given.
A subsequent agreement signed by the National Zoo stated cubs must return to China before their fourth birthday. Females can potentially breed for the first time in their fifth year, so this rule is presumably in place first and foremost to ensure their reproduction is not hindered in any way by the loan.
Adelaide’s facilities are ample size for a pair, but don’t lend themselves to retaining offspring for an extended period. It wouldn’t surprise me to see any cubs return to China around the age they seperate from their mother (usually around 18-24 months of age).
Luke899
Well-Known Member
Wang Wang and Funi to leave in late November/early December, Adelaide zoo to select new pair of Giant pandas
The pandas enjoyed plenty of attention this morning.(ABC News)
Chinese Premier Li Qiang made the announcement at the zoo this morning, thanking South Australia for looking after Wang Wang and Fu Ni so well.
"We will provide a new pair of equally beautiful, lovely and adorable pandas to the Adelaide Zoo," he said.
"I'm sure they will be loved and taken good care of by the people of Adelaide, South Australia, and Australia."
Wang Wang and Fu Ni have been at Adelaide Zoo since 2009.
China had originally loaned them for 10 years but a deal was struck to extend the loan for another five years, which ends in November.
The zoo embarked on a breeding program of both natural mating and artificial insemination over the years, but to no success.
Mr Li said the pair, the only giant pandas in the southern hemisphere, would return to China by the end of the year.
His visit to Adelaide Zoo was part of his four-day trip to Australia, the first by a Chinese premier since 2017.
The pandas enjoyed plenty of attention this morning.(ABC News)
- In short: Adelaide Zoo is set to receive a new pair of giant pandas.
- The zoo's current duo, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, will return to China after spending 15 years at Adelaide Zoo.
- The announcement was made by Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the zoo this morning.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang made the announcement at the zoo this morning, thanking South Australia for looking after Wang Wang and Fu Ni so well.
"We will provide a new pair of equally beautiful, lovely and adorable pandas to the Adelaide Zoo," he said.
"I'm sure they will be loved and taken good care of by the people of Adelaide, South Australia, and Australia."
Wang Wang and Fu Ni have been at Adelaide Zoo since 2009.
China had originally loaned them for 10 years but a deal was struck to extend the loan for another five years, which ends in November.
The zoo embarked on a breeding program of both natural mating and artificial insemination over the years, but to no success.
Mr Li said the pair, the only giant pandas in the southern hemisphere, would return to China by the end of the year.
His visit to Adelaide Zoo was part of his four-day trip to Australia, the first by a Chinese premier since 2017.
Well just to put my normal negative spin on this, the $1,000,000 annual fee to the Chinese for these animals comes straight off the top of the Federal conservation budget. So pandas look like costing Australian conservation at least $25,000,000. It's a pity the good people of Adelaide can't pay for their own adorable pandas.
One good thing is that it does show continued improving relations between Australia and China. I bet the decision wound not have gone this way if it had come up three years ago.
One good thing is that it does show continued improving relations between Australia and China. I bet the decision wound not have gone this way if it had come up three years ago.
I'm very excited by this news; this new pair will hopefully be more successful breeding wise. They should arrive not long after Wang Wang and Fu Ni leave.Wang Wang and Funi to leave in late November/early December, Adelaide zoo to select new pair of Giant pandas
The pandas enjoyed plenty of attention this morning.(ABC News)
A new pair of giant pandas will arrive at Adelaide Zoo in a swap for the popular duo who have called the zoo home for the past 15 years.
- In short: Adelaide Zoo is set to receive a new pair of giant pandas.
- The zoo's current duo, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, will return to China after spending 15 years at Adelaide Zoo.
- The announcement was made by Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the zoo this morning.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang made the announcement at the zoo this morning, thanking South Australia for looking after Wang Wang and Fu Ni so well.
"We will provide a new pair of equally beautiful, lovely and adorable pandas to the Adelaide Zoo," he said.
"I'm sure they will be loved and taken good care of by the people of Adelaide, South Australia, and Australia."
Wang Wang and Fu Ni have been at Adelaide Zoo since 2009.
China had originally loaned them for 10 years but a deal was struck to extend the loan for another five years, which ends in November.
The zoo embarked on a breeding program of both natural mating and artificial insemination over the years, but to no success.
Mr Li said the pair, the only giant pandas in the southern hemisphere, would return to China by the end of the year.
His visit to Adelaide Zoo was part of his four-day trip to Australia, the first by a Chinese premier since 2017.
Hopefully South Australian locals, and any fans of the current pandas are able to get in and visit Wang Wang and Fu Ni before they depart back to China later this year.
Wang Wang and Funi to leave in late November/early December, Adelaide zoo to select new pair of Giant pandas
The pandas enjoyed plenty of attention this morning.(ABC News)
A new pair of giant pandas will arrive at Adelaide Zoo in a swap for the popular duo who have called the zoo home for the past 15 years.
- In short: Adelaide Zoo is set to receive a new pair of giant pandas.
- The zoo's current duo, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, will return to China after spending 15 years at Adelaide Zoo.
- The announcement was made by Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the zoo this morning.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang made the announcement at the zoo this morning, thanking South Australia for looking after Wang Wang and Fu Ni so well.
"We will provide a new pair of equally beautiful, lovely and adorable pandas to the Adelaide Zoo," he said.
"I'm sure they will be loved and taken good care of by the people of Adelaide, South Australia, and Australia."
Wang Wang and Fu Ni have been at Adelaide Zoo since 2009.
China had originally loaned them for 10 years but a deal was struck to extend the loan for another five years, which ends in November.
The zoo embarked on a breeding program of both natural mating and artificial insemination over the years, but to no success.
Mr Li said the pair, the only giant pandas in the southern hemisphere, would return to China by the end of the year.
His visit to Adelaide Zoo was part of his four-day trip to Australia, the first by a Chinese premier since 2017.
It’s good to see Adelaide Zoo will continue to hold this species via welcoming a new pair. It’s beyond all doubt that their only hope of breeding the species is to acquire a new pair; though it’ll be interesting to see if Wang Wang and/or Funi now breed upon their return to China!
Irregardless of whatever the cost of loaning these pandas could be better spent on, it’s undeniable no species is a greater public drawcard than Giant pandas. As the region’s only pair, they’ve given countless Australians (and New Zealander’s) an opportunity to see a species they otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to see; and hopefully gave some of those visitors a greater appreciation for zoos/conservation in the process.
I'm happy for countless Aussies and Kiwis to see a giant panda, but why should the conservation budget pay for it? Surely they would be happy to kick in a few bucks if it is so important to them?
By the way Zoos SA went bust a few years after pandas arrive. From what I've been told visitor numbers were nowhere near what was expected and they could not even get commercial sponsorship for the pandas. They were only saved with a special deal from their bank.
Not that they did not try hard. I remember going to an international tourism expo in Adelaide just before the pandas were due to arrive. The South Australian tourism authority were pushing the pandas hard, there were even people running around in panda suits. I wondered why they expected Chinese tourists (or any other tourists for that matter) to rush to Adelaide to see a panda. Perhaps they were happy to dominate the New Zealand market.
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Adelaide Zoo’s news release on Giant pandas:
To clarify, a date has yet to be set for their return; but is thought to be later this year:
Fond farewells and warm welcomes as Giant Panda conservation continues at Adelaide Zoo - Adelaide Zoo
“We warmly welcome the offer from Premier Li of two new pandas at the Adelaide Zoo, and we look forward to working through the details of their arrival over the coming months,” said The Honourable Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia.
“We will all miss Fu Ni and Wang Wang greatly but none more so than their keepers. The team has taken such good care of them, bonded with them and got to know their behaviours, their likes and dislikes. It is hard for the team to have to think about farewells. Their final job is to prepare Fu Ni and Wang Wang for a safe and stress-free journey back to China which we think will be this year. A date is yet to be set.
To clarify, a date has yet to be set for their return; but is thought to be later this year:
Fond farewells and warm welcomes as Giant Panda conservation continues at Adelaide Zoo - Adelaide Zoo
“We warmly welcome the offer from Premier Li of two new pandas at the Adelaide Zoo, and we look forward to working through the details of their arrival over the coming months,” said The Honourable Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia.
“We will all miss Fu Ni and Wang Wang greatly but none more so than their keepers. The team has taken such good care of them, bonded with them and got to know their behaviours, their likes and dislikes. It is hard for the team to have to think about farewells. Their final job is to prepare Fu Ni and Wang Wang for a safe and stress-free journey back to China which we think will be this year. A date is yet to be set.
New Giant pandas will likely be pre-reproductive:
Zoos SA CEO has stated Adelaide’s new Giant panda pair will likely be pre-reproductive:
Giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni may not have mated, but have enjoyed a love affair with the public - ABC News
Zoos SA expressed relief that a deal had been struck to replace Wang Wang and Fu Ni with another "male and female, with the aim of future breeding".
"It's likely the pair that come will be not quite of breeding age, because they need to take that transition to the southern hemisphere," CEO Elaine Bensted said.
Zoos SA CEO has stated Adelaide’s new Giant panda pair will likely be pre-reproductive:
Giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni may not have mated, but have enjoyed a love affair with the public - ABC News
Zoos SA expressed relief that a deal had been struck to replace Wang Wang and Fu Ni with another "male and female, with the aim of future breeding".
"It's likely the pair that come will be not quite of breeding age, because they need to take that transition to the southern hemisphere," CEO Elaine Bensted said.