Adelaide Zoo

Adelaide, SA, Australia

About Adelaide Zoo

Zoos South Australia is a conservation-based charity with more than 30,000 members. Since 1878, we’ve long been established as a treasured part of the community representing a significant part of South Australia’s heritage and social history. Since Adelaide Zoo first opened to the public in 1883, generations of South Australians have shared the wonder of our zoos.

Zoos SA proudly run Australia’s second oldest zoo, Adelaide Zoo. It’s a relaxing green city oasis and vibrant sanctuary that gives you the feeling of stepping into another world. It’s full of diversity, colour and unique things to see and do. It offers an intimate zoo experience speckled with elements of curiosity, fantasy, fun and surprise. More than 2,500 exotic and native animals call Adelaide Zoo home and enjoy eight hectares of beautiful botanic surrounds.

Adelaide Zoo is home to over 1,800 animals and almost 300 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish exhibited in 8 hectares of magnificent botanic surroundings. It represents a significant and important part of South Australia’s heritage and social history. It is unique among Australian zoos as it has retained many original and significant architectural features giving it a style and character all its own.

Official website: www.adelaidezoo.com.au

Giant pandas at Adelaide Zoo

Wang Wang & Funi moved into a totally new enclosure.

The Adelaide City Council approved Adelaide Zoo’s $20 million refurbishment plans, to build the Giant Panda Forest.

The main features of the Giant Panda Forest are:

Bamboo Forest entry from the centre of the zoo;
Bamboo storage facilities to accommodate the 40kgs of fresh bamboo Wang Wang and Funi will consume each day;
Two large (600m2 x2) outdoor habitat exhibits including over 5000 individual trees and plants of over 30 species;
An extensive public under cover viewing area of 265m2
A climate controlled facility which can be cooled to 18 degrees celsius. This facility is utilising an extensive array of environmentally sustainable design features including passive heating and cooling, Photo voltaic panels, chillers and evaporative coolers;
The Giant Panda facilities will include a nursery and cubbing den which will incorporate surveillance cameras to enable staff to monitor a birth or provide behavioural footage for the website.

Construction of Adelaide Zoo’s Giant Panda House was completed in September 2009.

Enclosure Adelaide Zoo 002

Wang Wang and Fu Ni arrived in South Australia on a 10 year loan on November 28, 2009. The Panda Forest was officially opened on December 13, 2009.

In 2019, the panda loan was extended for 5 years. Wang Wang and Fu Ni returned home on November 15, 2024.

A new panda pair Yi Lan and Xing Qiu, is expected to arrive at Adelaide Zoo before the end of the year.

Previous giant pandas

Latest News

Adelaide Zoo

Wang Wang & Fu Ni returned to China

2024-11-15

On the early morning of November 2024, Adelaide Zoo officially waved a paw goodbye to Giant Pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni. After 15 years in Adelaide, the pair have left Australia to return home to their native, China. Director of Adelaide Zoo, Dr Phil Ainsley, said it was a poignant moment for the team […]

Giant pandas to stay in South Australia for 5 more years

2019-11-24

Good news for the Australians, Adelaide Zoo has signed an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association to extend the loan of the two giant pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, for five more years. “We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Wang Wang and Fu Ni will stay at Adelaide Zoo until late 2024,” […]

Adelaide Zoo offers VIP Panda Experience

2019-06-07

Adelaide Zoo proudly cares for Australia’s only Giant Pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, and with VIP Panda you can go behind the scenes with their keepers for an exclusive opportunity to meet the famous and adorable pair. You’ll get to venture into their private quarters, assist the keepers with preparing their bamboo breakfast and […]

Fu Ni experiences pseudo pregnancy

2018-02-13

Based on hormone tests and behavioural observations, the window has now passed during which time Adelaide Zoo’s Giant Panda Fu Ni would have given birth. Late last week, Fu Ni’s urinary progesterone level – a hormone associated with pregnancy – declined which meant she was either preparing to give birth or nearing the end of […]

Spring is in the air for Wang Wang & Fu Ni

2017-09-23

Spring is in the air and all signs indicate Adelaide Zoo’s Giant Pandas are close to entering their annual breeding season. Adelaide Zoo’s veterinary and keeping teams are finalising preparations as physiological and behavioural signs show Wang Wang and Fu Ni are approaching their 36 hour breeding window. A Giant Panda reproductive specialist from the […]