It’s panda-monium in Adelaide as the two fluffy creatures arrive from China, reports Katherine Chatfield.
As first dates go, it’s a pretty big deal, but Adelaide Zoo’s new giant pandas, Funi and Wang Wang, are “bearing” up under the pressure of their budding romance.
This won’t be any whirlwind relationship though; pandas prefer the old-fashioned approach to dating – taking things slowly.
“They’re being gradually introduced to each other,” says Heather Caddick, President of Zoos South Australia, who is hoping that Wang Wang and Funi will eventually produce baby pandas.
“And they are solitary animals, so they’ll be kept in separate quarters within their enclosure.”
After the furry pair have begun to warm to each other, the conception of a baby panda is reliant on perfect timing, says Heather.
“Female pandas are only interested in sex for four days a year, and males for just two,” she explains.
“It’s a very small window of opportunity. But we’ve been assured they are both very fertile and everything possible will be done to encourage a romance between the pair.
“They’ll come together once a year for courtship like they do in the wild.” Funi, 3, and Wang Wang, 4, who arrived from China on the weekend, are taking their time getting to know each other at the moment, but by the sounds of their personalities, sparks could fly down the track.
“Funi is coquettish and inquisitive,” says Heather. “Wang Wang is definitely a character, too. He’s a big strong boy and is very aware of just how gorgeous he is.
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