Wang Wang and Funi arrive at Adelaide Zoo!
Hi everyone,
Well I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to write to all off you…..as I hope you can understand I have been VERY busy!
So I will give you all a brief run down on what has been happening... the trip back from China was amazing! It was something I don’t think I will ever be able to experience again in my life! Wang Wang and Funi were loaded into the front of the cargo (right in the nose!). Wang Wang spent his trip eating and sleeping happily. He didn’t seem to have a worry in the world. Funi was not as relaxed during the transfer stages but on the cargo plane she did eat and get some sleep. I was up every hour to check on them…which got quite tiring after being awake for 24 hours straight!
The excitement finally hit when we landed and anxiously waited for the quarantine and custom officers to board the plane. Once the door opened we realized just how excited the rest of Adelaide was too! Everyone was very happy to see us and there were smiles all around. It seemed like forever before the nose of the plane was finally opened and we could wave to the group outside. It was lovely to see excited familiar faces smiling back at us and waves coming from all directions. The weather was not as welcoming with such strong winds that it was hard to hold onto the banner we were proudly displaying. The rain was fitting as we had left China in similar weather. This would have been beneficial to Wang Wang and Funi as they would have noticed the weather difference a little more if it had been 40!
They were quickly off loaded from the plane and put into their air conditioned truck awaiting their journey to the Zoo. I was able to travel with them in the back of the truck all the way to the zoo, but it did mean I had to miss seeing the police escort and green lights all the way! When the truck finally came to a standstill my excitement grew. Once the doors opened and I saw many of the zoo staff standing there, including the rest of the panda team, and for the first time during the trip home, relaxed and felt like the job was almost finished.
Since the arrival Wang Wang and Funi seem to be settling in really well.
Wang Wang especially has taken to the Aussie bamboo and he is currently munching on the 6kg I just put in with him! He is lying flat on his back with bits of bamboo everywhere! He has taken to the water as well. He loves the hose as I discovered on the first day when I was trying to show him where his water bowl was…he hopped straight under the stream and was rubbing up and down the mesh! Yesterday he got let out into his dayroom and went straight up to the top of the waterfall and sat in it! He is a character!
Funi still likes the bamboo from China that we imported with us on the trip. She is taking to the Aussie bamboo more slowly….though as I am writing this she is munching on some golden bamboo from Adelaide. We will slowly wean her off the Chinese species. She has still been catching up on her sleep over the past few days but is in good spirits.
Yesterday when she saw us putting bamboo into her dayroom she got so excited she was doing headstands and rolling around on the ground waiting for us to open the slide. Once we did she was a little unsure about the mulch though and was trying to avoid walking on it for a while! She has also discovered her water bowls and likes using them as a seat to get a higher look out into the kitchen! She also enjoys playing in it.
Ok everyone, have to go….these guys eat a lot! I can hear Funi playing with an enrichment ball I gave her…it has pieces of Panda cake inside. She sounds like she is having a ball!
Until next time!
Simone
written by Ellie Williams, May 26, 2010
[b
]Hello my name is Ellie Williams and Im 13 years old turning 14 soon cant wait. Well lets get to the important bit I live in Renmark South Australia and I love wang wang and funi pandas are my favourite animals I have so many pictures of pandas in my room. My dream is to live in Adelaide and work at the adelaide zoo like when a class of students come from a schoool I would like to take them on a tour around the zoo and go in side the cages and give the animals food and I will pat them I have alwayed love pandas they are so cute to couddle and touch.Well thankyou so much for listening.
until next time
Ellie Williams
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written by Sharon , January 05, 2010
I'm in Southern California and LOVE Panda's!
Any news please on your Panda Cam?? Live Daily and Weekends?
When do you think it MIGHT get up and where?
Thank You
Sharon In Californa
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written by Zara Buckley, December 15, 2009
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written by Tina, December 14, 2009
I'm a super giant panda lover from China, I went to see the giant pandas in Beijing Zoo for abour 100 times, hope these two cute little pandas will feel as same as their hometown WoLong, I'm sure they will have a good life here
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written by Dee, December 10, 2009
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written by Joan, December 07, 2009
Enjoy!!
From a fellow Pandaholic in Canada!
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written by Susan, December 06, 2009
Your two pandas are just incredible! Bravo on the job you have done to begin their life with you at Adelaide Zoo. You are doing a wonderful job!
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written by Ena, December 05, 2009
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written by Brenda, December 05, 2009
Have enjoyed reading your blog.
Cheers
Brenda
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i went and saw the pandas when they first opened. my pop and step nan took my mum my brother and my two sisters and me. it was really cool how they opened on my BIRTHDAY!!!! i could not believe it! i had a great time but there was a really big line up. to all the other panda lovers i totally recommend u going ITS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!