Giant Pandas settle into new habitat at Adelaide Zoo

Adelaide Zoo has advised that Giant Pandas, Xing qui and Yi Lan, have settled into their new Bamboo Forest habitat. As the only two pandas in Australia, and in the Southern hemisphere, Xing Qiu and Yi Lan are now tourism drawcards for South Australia giving visitors from interstate and overseas another reason to visit.

About 47,000 people have visited the Zoo since Xing qui and Yi Lan arrived, replacing longtime residents Wang Wang and Fu-ni who have now returned China.

Adelaide Zoo's involvement in the Giant Panda program with China has contributed to an impressive turn around in the animals’ fortunes, with 1864 now ranging across a 23,000 square kilometre area spanning six major mountain ranges.

This has seen the Giant Panda's 'endangered' conservation status upgraded to 'vulnerable' due to ongoing efforts to rewild them.

The pair, who have called South Australia home for three months now, are said to have quite distinct personalities.

Yi Lam, the female, is more active and inquisitive and has been entertaining visitors as she enthusiastically explores her new home.

Xing qui is said to be less active and more enthusiastic about food, particularly when escaping Adelaide's hot spell in his air conditioned day room.

The new arrivals provide a major visitor boost for Adelaide Zoo, the city and state. Xing Qiu (shing chee-y-ull) was born in 2020 while Yi Lan (ee-lun) in 2021.

The South Australian Government has worked closely with the Commonwealth Government, Zoos SA and their Chinese counterparts to ensure the pandas had a smooth transition into the country.

The pandas were offered by the Chinese Premier, Mr Li Qiang, during a visit to the Adelaide Zoo in June last year, the first such visit to Australia by a Chinese Premier since 2017.