Wang Wang and Fu Ni

Fu Ni ({{zh|c=福妮}}) means "lucky girl" and Wang Wang ({{zh|c=网网}}) means "net net". According to Chinese ambassador Zhang Junsai, the name reflects their hopes that "the lucky girl will fall into the net of love" and have a baby.{{Cite web |date=14 December 2009 |title=Pandas Down Under: Wang Wang and Funi move from China to Australia's Adelaide Zoo |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/la-unleashed/story/2009-12-14/pandas-down-under-wang-wang-and-funi-move-from-china-to-australias-adelaide-zoo |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times}} Wang Wang was given his name whilst in China. In 2009, Mandarin speakers emailed an Adelaide television station arguing that the name was pronounced "wong wong"; this pronunciation is favoured by the Adelaide Chinese community.{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Roxanne |date=17 September 2014 |title=Hang on a minute — we've been getting it all 'wong wong' with Adelaide Zoo pandas Wang Wang and Funi |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/hang-on-a-minute-weve-been-getting-it-all-wong-wong-with-adelaide-zoo-pandas-wang-wang-and-funi/news-story/aa994ac021d412328b5b39e87f62269b |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=The Advertiser}}

Wang Wang was born on 31 October 2005, and Fu Ni was born on 23 August 2006,{{Cite web |last=Zhiling |first=Huang |date=31 October 2009 |title=Panda diplomacy helps repair Sino-Australian rift |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-10/31/content_8877063.htm |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=China Daily}} at the Wolong Giant Panda Research Centre in China.[http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/gdxw/t628838.htm Fu Ni in Australia]^{{{Dead link|date=March 2023}}} President Hu Jintao first offered them to Australia at the 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Sydney.{{Cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Jillian |last2=Litchfield |first2=Carla |date=18 March 2019 |title=Pandanomics is a grey area, but to us the value of giant pandas is black and white |url=https://theconversation.com/pandanomics-is-a-grey-area-but-to-us-the-value-of-giant-pandas-is-black-and-white-112956 |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=The Conversation}} The 2008 Sichuan earthquake caused the destruction of the research centre and the death of Mao Mao, Wang Wang's mother, and the pandas were relocated to the Bifengxia Giant Panda Breeding Centre.{{Cite web |last=Benns |first=Matthew |date=29 November 2009 |title=It's giant panda-monium |url=https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/its-giant-pandamonium-20091128-jxwc.html |url-access=limited |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}

Wang Wang and Fu Ni arrived at Adelaide Zoo in Adelaide, South Australia, on 29 November 2009, escorted by police in a climate-controlled semitrailer. They first appeared on 13 December after Governor-General Quentin Bryce officially opened their enclosure.{{Cite web |date=28 November 2009 |title=Wang Wang and Funi touch down |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/wang-wang-and-funi-touch-down-20091128-jxo4.html |url-access=limited |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}{{Cite web |date=28 November 2009 |title=Giant pandas arrive in Adelaide |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-11-28/giant-pandas-arrive-in-adelaide/1160556 |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=ABC News}} 175 families helped to plant bamboo for them.{{Cite web |date=29 November 2009 |title=China giant pandas arrive in Australia |url=http://www.china.org.cn/environment/2009-11/29/content_18972630.htm |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=China Internet Information Center}} Initially on loan for ten years as part of a global giant panda breeding program, Wang Wang and Fu Ni are the only giant pandas in the Southern Hemisphere. A large amount of media attention was given to their arrival,{{Cite web |last=Om |first=Jason |date=9 December 2009 |title=Is Wang Wang w(r)ong w(r)ong? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-12-09/is-wang-wang-wrong-wrong/1175916 |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=ABC News}} and the loan has been described as an instance of "panda diplomacy" between Australia and China.

On 12 January 2010, the pair were released from their glass enclosures into their exhibit after a period of quarantine, ordered by minister Penny Wong.{{Cite web |last=Akerman |first=Pia |date=12 January 2010 |title=Penny Wong unveils pandas Wang Wang and Funi at Adelaide Zoo |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnation%2Fnation%2Fpenny-wong-unveils-pandas-wang-wang-and-funi-at-adelaide-zoo%2Fnews-story%2F918cfd5c53e5d75b6e7cfeb5d46c7b03&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=7db458ae2733b149077bc541f14f4d7b-1737464286 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230110061327/https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/nation/nation/penny-wong-unveils-pandas-wang-wang-and-funi-at-adelaide-zoo/news-story/918cfd5c53e5d75b6e7cfeb5d46c7b03 |archive-date=10 January 2023 |website=The Australian}} They also joined Earth Hour as "official ambassadors".{{Cite web |date=18 March 2010 |title=Wang Wang and Funi join push for a better climate |url=http://www.wwf.org.au/?1213/Wang-Wang-and-Funi-join-push-for-a-better-climate |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517153426/http://www.wwf.org.au/?1213/Wang-Wang-and-Funi-join-push-for-a-better-climate |archive-date=17 May 2014 |website=World Wide Fund for Nature}}

Zoos SA borrowed $6.7 million to fund the pandas, while a lack of sponsors added to the debt. The state government invested $18.9 million for the new entrance and fence, and the zoo paid $8 million dollars for the new exhibit from sponsors, donors, and loans. After Wang Wang and Fu Ni's arrival, Adelaide Zoo's visitors grew 70% and membership to Zoos SA had grown 25%.{{Cite web |last=Schultz-Byard |first=Noah |date=21 June 2011 |title=Adelaide Zoo $24m in debt |url=https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/06/21/3249843.htm |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=ABC Local Radio}} However, after initial expectations that the pandas would contribute $600 million to the South Australian economy in the course of a decade, visitor numbers returned to the same levels before their arrival by 2010.

In late 2011, they were introduced together for the first time after previously being separated by wire mesh for breeding. As when they first arrived they were in the same exhibit until Fu Ni reach sexual maturity.{{Cite web |last1=Peddie |first1=Clare |last2=Martin |first2=Sarah |date=24 September 2011 |title=Wang Wang and Funi together for the first time in two years |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/wang-wang-and-funi-together-unite-for-the-first-time-in-two-years/news-story/251601949459e577a909cd5e188b8328 |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=The Advertiser}}

When she begins her oestrus cycle, Fu Ni climbs her tree in the enclosure. She has experienced several pseudopregnancies, which are difficult to distinguish from actual pregnancies as her blood tests, chemical signals, and behavior all indicate she is pregnant. She underwent one in early 2017.{{Cite web |last=Hanifie |first=Sowaibah |date=2 March 2017 |title=Giant panda Fu Ni goes into fake labour at Adelaide Zoo |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-02/giant-panda-fu-ni-goes-into-fake-labour-at-adelaide-zoo/8318454 |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=ABC News}} Giant pandas have a short annual window to breed, often around 24{{Endash}}72 hours.{{Cite web |date=19 September 2014 |title=Giant pandas Wang Wang and Funi fail to mate; Adelaide zookeepers cite inexperience |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-19/giant-pandas-wang-wang-and-funi-fail-to-mate-at-adelaide-zoo/5755536 |access-date=15 January 2023 |website=ABC News}}

In 2019, Prime Minister Scott Morrison criticized Labor's pledge to fund Wang Wang and Fu Ni for five more years, saying that Queensland floods should be more of a priority.{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Lisa |date=17 February 2019 |title=Pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni to stay in Adelaide zoo under Labor plan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/17/pandas-wang-wang-and-fu-ni-to-stay-in-adelaide-zoo-under-labor-plan |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=The Guardian}} On 24 November 2019, the Government of South Australia signed a new agreement with China to fund the pandas for five more years, after the initial ten-year deal had expired and the pandas were set to return to China. There have been five previous unsuccessful attempts to get the pair to mate.{{Cite web |date=24 November 2019 |title=Giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni to stay in Adelaide until 2024 after agreement with Chinese owners |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-24/giant-pandas-wang-wang-and-fu-ni-to-officially-stay-in-adelaide/11732972 |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=ABC News}} There have also been four or more attempts to artificially inseminate Fu Ni, including three procedures in 2017 and another planned in late 2022.{{Cite web |last=Gailberger |first=Jade |date=25 September 2017 |title=Three artificial insemination procedures, a first for Adelaide Zoo's giant pandas |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/three-artificial-insemination-procedures-a-first-for-adelaide-zoos-giant-pandas/news-story/84b0dcf8e467096c7367ff234af4a015 |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=The Advertiser}}{{Cite web |last=Dornin |first=Tim |date=16 September 2022 |title=Panda Fu Ni to be artificially inseminated |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7906207/panda-fu-ni-to-be-artificially-inseminated/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230110021511/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7906207/panda-fu-ni-to-be-artificially-inseminated/ |archive-date=10 January 2023 |website=The Canberra Times}} Adelaide Zoo confirmed that Fu Ni had undergone either a "pseudopregnancy or a loss" in February 2023.{{Cite web |date=3 February 2023 |title=Panda breeding hopes dashed at Adelaide Zoo after suspected 'pseudopregnancy' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-03/giant-panda-fu-ni-not-pregnant-adelaide-zoo-confirms/101927664 |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=ABC News}}

Wang Wang and Fu Ni returned to China following the expiration of their contract with Adelaide Zoo in November 2024. They were replaced by pandas Xing Qiu and Yi Lan, as a result of a new deal between Australia and China.

Wang Wang and Fu Ni's exhibit is called the Bamboo Forest.{{Cite web |last=Dornin |first=Tim |date=3 February 2023 |title=No panda cub for Adelaide again this year |url=https://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/8072253/no-panda-cub-for-adelaide-again-this-year |access-date=4 February 2023 |website=The Daily Advertiser}} It is also home to two red pandas, Ravi and Mishry,{{Cite web |last=Prema |first=Shivé |date=15 August 2022 |title=Adelaide Zoo: Escaped red panda Ravi is found in Botanic Gardens |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7860715/escaped-red-panda-is-caught-after-two-days-on-the-run-and-ready-to-mate/ |url-access=limited |access-date=11 January 2023 |website=The Canberra Times}} and Manu, a blue and gold macaw. Dr. Phil Ainsley is the head of the team of panda handlers at Adelaide Zoo.

• List of giant pandas
• List of individual bears

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/20100612093800/http://www.giantpanda.org.au:80/}}

{{Famous giant pandas}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wang Wang and Fu Ni}}

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Category:Individual giant pandas

Category:Adelaide Zoo

Category:Giant panda duos