Australia prepares for pandas
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The arrival of pandas in Australia next month would be a significant historic event marking the strong friendship between China and Australia, said Chris West, CEO of Adelaide Zoo.
Under an agreement between the governments of China and Australia, China will provide Australia with two pandas for 10 years. The two pandas, Wangwang and Funi, will live in Adelaide Zoo and used for research.
"I know that pandas are a Chinese national treasure, and at Adelaide Zoo we are totally aware of the great honor and trust placed in us," said West.
"The giant pandas will be powerful ambassadors for harmony and friendship between our two countries."
Asked why Adelaide Zoo was chosen to host the two pandas, West said the zoo had a strong tradition of caring for, breeding and research into endangered species, including red pandas.
West, also a veterinary surgeon, has traveled to Sichuan Province's Wolong and Chengdu giant panda bases in southwest China several times over the past 12 years to learn about the pandas and share information.
West said the zoo has built a state-of-the-art habitat for the two pandas to live in.
"We have slightly warmer winters than in Sichuan, and some summer days are hotter and drier, and to address this we have included chilled rocks, running cold water, much shade and indoor air-conditioned areas for their comfort," West said.
He said the designated panda keepers were very experienced and would soon travel to China to get to know the "Australian" pandas before accompanying them back to Adelaide.
West said the zoo has plenty of bamboo for the pandas. "We have established a bamboo plantation of over 8 hectares and are growing 7 species of bamboo to ensure a good choice. We also have a register of landowners who have large stands of mature bamboo in the hills around Adelaide," he said.
Public anticipation is running high. "Our zoo membership is increasing at a rapid rate, and Website hits also. We have built a whole new entrance precinct to make sure we can handle the crowds," West said.
The Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, will attend the public debut of Wangwang and Funi on December 13.
