STORY: Only pair of giant pandas in Southern Hemisphere to leave Australia for home
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 14, 2024
DATELINE: Nov. 15, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:00
LOCATION: ADELAIDE, Australia
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the farewell reception
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ZOE BETTISON, Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs of the Australian state of South Australia
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PHIL AINSLEY, Director of Adelaide Zoo
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): Student from Plympton International College
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): Students from Plympton International College
6. various of the giant pandas at Adelaide Zoo

STORYLINE:

The only pair of giant pandas in Southern Hemisphere, Wang Wang (meaning Net Net) and Fu Ni (meaning Lucky Girl), will leave Adelaide Zoo on Friday morning and return to China.

A farewell reception for the pandas was held on Thursday in Adelaide.

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said that over the past 15 years, China and Australia have achieved significant progress in panda conservation, disease prevention, and healthcare.

Wang Wang and Fu Ni have been exceptionally well-cared for, thanks to the dedication and hard work of the zoo staff, who provided them with a safe and warm home for healthy growth, he added.

China and Australia launched a joint program for the conservation and research of giant pandas in 2009, when Wang Wang and Fu Ni arrived at Adelaide Zoo, making it their home and becoming the only pair of giant pandas in the Southern Hemisphere.

Xiao said that the key to sound relations between countries lies in the amity between their peoples based on mutual understanding. Giant pandas, as ambassadors of friendship, carry the warmth and goodwill of the Chinese people, sowing seeds of peace and friendship that transcend borders.

Zoe Bettison, minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs of the Australian state of South Australia, said that Australian people are connected to the beautiful giant pandas.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ZOE BETTISON, Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs of the Australian state of South Australia
"It's a sadness for all South Australians. We've really taken Wang Wang and Fu Ni into our hearts. We followed every moment of their journey in 2009 and they've become part and parcel of who we have here, and particularly a draw card for the zoo and Adelaide."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PHIL AINSLEY, Director of Adelaide Zoo
"And for 15 years, Adelaide Zoo has been home to Fu Ni and Wang Wang. And we've shared so many memories with our staff, our visitors, and with the people that have come through the zoo. So we absolutely will be sad to see them leave. But we know that their journey back to China where they can connect with the Chinese community is so important for the continuing journey of Fu Ni and Wang Wang. So we will absolutely miss them every day, but we know that they will be welcomed and cared for so very well on returning home to China."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): Student from Plympton International College, South Australia
"They are funny when they roll around."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): Students from Plympton International College, South Australia
"Wang Wang, Fu Ni, have a safe trip!"

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Adelaide, Australia.
(XHTV)