The new $35 million dollar Bamboo Forest enclosure for giant pandas FuNi and Wang Wang is now officially open to the public at the Adelaide Zoo in Australia. "For Wang Wang and Funi, I think this is going to be a normal panda day," chief executive of Zoos SA Dr Chris West told the official guests.
"They'll eat some choice Australian bamboo, they'll get to know their new Australian friends a little bit better and they'll do what pandas do, which means they'll relax, they'll lounge around, they'll probably snooze."
Governor-General Quentin Bryce addressed her comments to the pandas, welcoming them to Australia and explaining a little about their new surroundings. "Feel free to eat while I speak," she assured the munching new arrivals. "You'll find that Australia is one of the most welcoming, compassionate, understanding and cheerful countries in the world."
Chinese Ambassador to Australia Zhang Junsai said the giant pandas were viewed as a symbol of peace in China and their presence could "transcend borders, race and time". "Wang Wang and Funi carry the friendship and greetings from (the) Chinese people," he told the gathering.
The first pandas in the southern hemisphere will be at the zoo for the next 10 years but that could be extended and the zoo hopes the pair will reproduce within a couple of years. Zoos SA president Heather Caddick said it was an exciting day for Adelaide Zoo and for Australia. Ms Caddick said while the renovations had cost the not-for-profit zoo $35 million, the pandas were expected to inject some $630 million into the state's economy over the 10-year period. Source: Couriermail.com.au
