Giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni fail to mate during short breeding season, Adelaide Zoo staff say - ABC News

Adelaide Zoo staff say giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni will not have a cub born this season after the duo once again failed to have "a successful mating".

Key points:

• Wang Wang and Fu Ni failed to mate this breeding season
• Keepers remain optimistic that the duo may produce offspring in future
• The duo remains a popular drawcard at Adelaide Zoo despite their failure to have a cub

Zoo director Phil Ainsley said the species' short breeding season — which is just 24-72 hours once a year — had come to an end.

"We are all disappointed as a giant panda cub would be a wonderful achievement for the future of their species, which is vulnerable to extinction," Dr Ainsley said. 

"But also after all the negativity of COVID, a cub really would have been great news and a boost for us all."

Dr Ainsley said the giant panda keepers had worked hard to prepare the duo, "including an exercise routine for Wang Wang to build up his strength".

A keeper was also on duty "around the clock" to monitor the pandas and ensure neither was hurt.

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"I would therefore like to thank our amazing keeping and veterinary staff for their continued efforts and support. You have all been fantastic and we are grateful for your loyalty and dedication," he said.

The pandas have gained notoriety in Adelaide since they arrived in 2009 for their failure to produce offspring.

They were initially brought to Adelaide Zoo on a 10-year loan from their owners, the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

In 2019, the loan was extended for five years by the South Australian Government, to keep the pandas in Adelaide until at least 2024.

Keepers 'remain positive'

Dr Ainsley remained optimistic, saying the duo's failed breeding season this year was "not to say that it won't happen" in future.

Giant panda facts:

• The reproductive window is just 24-72 hours
• Female pandas are only fertile once a year
• Pregnancy lasts about 120-140 days
• Pregnancy is not detected until about two weeks before birth
• Pregnancy is very difficult for female pandas and subsequent birth is even more difficult
• Cubs first open their eyes at around 40 days old and weigh between 36g-296g
• Once the cub is fully grown, it will need about 30kg bamboo each day

"Both giant pandas still have good breeding years ahead of them," he said.

"With such a short ovulation window there are only so many mating attempts that can happen before 'normality' returns, which, in the case of giant pandas sees them returning to their primarily solitary lifestyle.

"While people will be disappointed with the outcome, I can assure you that we remain positive."

Wang Wang and Fu Ni are a popular pair at the zoo, with Zoos SA chief executive Elaine Bensted in 2019 saying visitors "from young to old" loved them.

"The giant pandas are a huge drawcard, helping people to connect with nature and learn about this incredibly special species," she said.

With the breeding season over, the pandas' exhibit, the Bamboo Forest, will reopen at the zoo from today.

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