Wang Wang and Fu Ni

Fu Ni () means "lucky girl" and Wang Wang () 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. 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. == Early life (2005–2009) ==

Wang Wang was born on 31 October 2005, and Fu Ni was born on 23 August 2006, at the Wolong Giant Panda Research Centre in China. President Hu Jintao first offered them to Australia at the 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Sydney. 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. == Arrival at Adelaide Zoo (2009–2010) ==

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. 175 families helped to plant bamboo for them. Initially on loan for ten years as part of a global giant panda breeding program, and the loan has been described as an instance of "panda diplomacy" between Australia and China. They also joined Earth Hour as "official ambassadors". 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 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%. 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. == Life at Adelaide and breeding attempts (2010–2024) ==

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. Whenever she began her oestrus cycle, Fu Ni climbed her tree in the enclosure. She experienced several pseudopregnancies, which were difficult to distinguish from actual pregnancies as her blood tests, chemical signals, and behavior would all indicate she is pregnant. Giant pandas have a short annual window to breed, often around 2472 hours. 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. 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. There were also four or more attempts to artificially inseminate Fu Ni, including three procedures in 2017 and another that was planned in late 2022. Adelaide Zoo confirmed that Fu Ni had undergone either a "pseudopregnancy or a loss" in February 2023. 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. == Exhibit ==

Wang Wang and Fu Ni's exhibit is called the Bamboo Forest. It is also home to two red pandas, Ravi and Mishry, and Manu, a blue and gold macaw. Dr. Phil Ainsley is the head of the team of panda handlers at Adelaide Zoo. ==See also==