2 giant pandas depart China for Australia in conservation partnership

2 giant pandas depart China for Australia in conservation partnership, scheduled to spend next 10 years in Adelaide zoo.

On Saturday afternoon, two giant pandas, Xingqiu, a four-year-old male, and Yilan, a three-year-old female, left Sichuan Province in southwest China for Australia. Their departure marks the beginning of a new phase in China-Australia cooperation on giant panda conservation and research.

The pandas, both from the Dujiangyan base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, are scheduled to live at Adelaide Zoo for the next ten years. To ensure their health and safety during the flight, a range of food, including fresh bamboo, fruits, vegetables, and specially made steamed buns, along with drinking water, was prepared. Both Chinese and Australian experts are accompanying the pandas.

Upon arrival at Adelaide Zoo, the pandas will undergo a quarantine period. Chinese experts accompanying them will remain temporarily to assist with their adjustment to the new environment.

Adelaide Zoo, Australia’s second-oldest, has upgraded its facilities to accommodate the new pandas. The zoo has also assigned a dedicated care and research team to oversee their well-being, ensuring a continuous supply of appropriate food.

The zoo, home to over 200 species of exotic and native animals, previously hosted two other pandas, Wangwang and Funi, in 2009. Their stay attracted more than 5 million visitors, and they returned to China in November this year.

The new panda partnership builds on previous successful collaborations and aims to further advance joint research on breeding, disease prevention, public education, and cultural exchange, strengthening the bond between China and Australia.