Giant pandas to stay in Australia for 5 more years

ADELAIDE, Australia -- Good news for the Australians -- the two giant pandas from China will stay in South Australia for another five years.

According to the Adelaide Zoo, it has signed the 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," Zoos SA (South Australia) Chief Executive Elaine Bensted said on Sunday.

"From young to old, everyone who visits our Bamboo Forest falls in love with Wang Wang and Fu Ni. They are always a delight to watch, whether they're exploring their habitat, laying in the sun, climbing trees, or eating bamboo," she said.

Phil Ainsley, director of life sciences at Adelaide Zoo, said the agreement offered an opportunity to contribute to global panda research.

"We look forward to continuing to help Giant Panda conservation and gain a better understanding of pandas living in the southern hemisphere," he said.