Having driven from Perth to Adelaide
(just a short 2,692km and 29 hours later)
My husband Ray and I met beautiful giant pandas
Amazing to be so close, just meters away.
Funi. Born on 23/08/06
It was worth every minute of the drive to meet funi!
The other panda - Wang Wang (Born on 31/08/05 )
was not as interested - staying in his room
But I'm afraid this is the only one I could cuddle!
- Wang Wang and Funi are the only Giant Pandas in the Southern Hemisphere and the first to live permanently in Australia.
- Funi is much more nimble than Wang Wang - in fact, she is actually quite elegant (for a Giant Panda!).
- On 12 May 2008, the Wenchuan earthquake devastated the Sichuan province in China. Official casualties were 69,197 deaths, with thousands more missing, injured or homeless. The quake destroyed the Wolong Giant Panda Research Centre, which was home to around 280 Giant Pandas including Wang Wang and Funi. Sadly, Wang Wang’s mum, Mao Mao, did not survive the quake.
- After the earthquake Wang Wang and Funi were transferred to the Baixiongpin Yaan Research Centre where they received intensive care from keepers to get them back to being happy and healthy Pandas.
Oh lucky you!! Great pics and well worth the drive:o))
ReplyDeleteTake care and have a good weekend......Lyn x
I'm so pleased you have seen our Pandas. I have been there and Wang Wang was very active. I think first thing in the morning they are most active. I could watch them all day.If I knew you were here I would have made a cake for morning tea for you both.
ReplyDeleteHugs Kay