So nice to see the pandas again!
Wednesday, 14 April 2010 00:00
Hi everyone
Well, I have just reached the end of my first seven days back with Wang Wang and Funi. It was so nice to see them again! I actually couldn't wait until my first day back to see them so came in just after I arrived back from my honeymoon. They seemed very happy to see me too….which always makes you feel good! Wang Wang came straight over when he heard me and was happy for the treats that I was feeding him. Funi was a real cutie. She took deep breaths…sniffing so hard she was really loud! And then after each breath she would flick her tongue through the mesh and try to lick me! It was very cute!
My wedding and honeymoon was amazing! I had such a great time…and the pandas even came to the wedding! (Not the real Wang Wang and Funi but my keeper friends dressed up as them!.....or at least I think it wasn’t Wang Wang and Funi!). We went and saw the panda cub at Chiang Mai Zoo! What a cutie….that will be us in the future!
It has been extremely busy here over the Easter holidays. There have been large crowds of people all eager to see our famous two. They, of course, have taken it all in their stride and couldn’t care less! The cooler weather seems to be having an impact on their behaviour as well. Wang Wang has taken to climbing his trees a lot and we have been putting food and toys up there as well. Funi has really settled in now to the outside exhibit. It is so nice to see her wandering around. We often catch her sitting down relaxing watching people pass.
The panda team did an amazing job while I was away. Matt and Steve held the fort and seemed to have had a ball with Wang Wang and Funi. They really seemed to have bonded with them, even more than before I left. It is great to see. On another note, one of our team members is about to leave us on a year of adventures, on a working holiday….so Shawn thanks for everything and have a ball!
As I have just got back I am pretty flat out so I will try and write more shortly......
Oh and the panda live stream webcam is about to go online so don’t forget to check that out!
Till next time,
Simone
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Comments (17)
written by Michelle Fitz-Gerald, May 03, 2010
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting Funi & Wang Wang with a VIP tour. The experience is surreal, to talk to them, to touch them and to get to know their little personalities was just something I don't have enough words for. Thanks Funi for the beautiful poses and to Wang Wang for being you. I will be back, most likely with two kids in tow, but I look forward to seeing you both again. You both have a place forever in my heart.
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written by Michelle Fitz-Gerald, May 02, 2010
Yippee, today I get to meet Funi & Wang Wang.....can't wait 
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written by Katherine Heiland, May 01, 2010
An idea. Perhaps Panda cams could be heat sensor cameras that follow bears around their room and one for the outside enclosure. This way more footage could be taken.
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written by Michelle Fitz-Gerald, May 01, 2010
One more sleep, and I get to meet Funi & Wang Wang....aren't I a 'Funi' (Lucky girl!)
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written by Katherine Heiland, April 30, 2010
Hello and thank you for Panda cam - cool idea. A connection to the pandas from QLD-yippee. A question, it seems like someone needs to monitor the panda cams? Say every few hours? Perhaps an extra screen for the security office? So we can get better pictures of these gorgeous bears-need more bears, please. Is this just a tease to get us to come and visit again!! 
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written by Kim Kilroy, April 26, 2010
Hi Simone
Welcome back and congratulations on your recent marriage. It is great to get the Panda updates on FuNi & Wang Wang. Thank you
Welcome back and congratulations on your recent marriage. It is great to get the Panda updates on FuNi & Wang Wang. Thank you
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written by Michelle Fitz-Gerald, April 25, 2010
What a way to start the day....watching Wang Wang, thanks for the Pandacam!
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written by Michelle Fitz-Gerald, April 25, 2010
Congratulations Simone on your wedding. You're husband must be very special to take you away from Funi & Wang Wang. I bet you missed them, like they missed you.
I have loved Panda's all my life and am looking forward to meeting them next weekend when I fly down from Qld just to see them. I also have a VIP tour arranged as my 40th birthday present...so I am very excited. I'm glad you are back and hope to have the opportunity to meet the luckiest lady in the world!
I'm enjoying the Pandacams. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to share this wonderful experience and have them in our homes. The kids are so excited when they see Funi & Wang Wang.
Hope to see you next weekend!
B
I have loved Panda's all my life and am looking forward to meeting them next weekend when I fly down from Qld just to see them. I also have a VIP tour arranged as my 40th birthday present...so I am very excited. I'm glad you are back and hope to have the opportunity to meet the luckiest lady in the world!
I'm enjoying the Pandacams. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to share this wonderful experience and have them in our homes. The kids are so excited when they see Funi & Wang Wang.
Hope to see you next weekend!
B
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written by Michelle Fitz-Gerald, April 24, 2010
Hi Simone
Congratulations on your wedding. Your husband must be very special for you to leave Funi & Wang Wang for 7 weeks. I've tried to access this blog several times, so I apologise if this message is repeated.
I have been Panda mad for as long as I can remember and have been following the story of Funi & Wang Wang religiously. I am so pleased that I will get to meet them next weekend as I am flying from Qld to see them and have arranged a VIP tour as my 40th birthday present. I'm excited, and yet sad, because I will have to leave them behind...but I dare say I will be back, my kids would kill me if I don't take them!
I'm pleased you're back, and hopefully I will have the opportunity to meet the luckiest lady in the world! Say hi to Funi & Wang Wang, in the meantime, I will stay tuned to Panda Cam. Thank you for that wonderful opportunity to share their life in Australia!
Cheers,
Michelle
Congratulations on your wedding. Your husband must be very special for you to leave Funi & Wang Wang for 7 weeks. I've tried to access this blog several times, so I apologise if this message is repeated.
I have been Panda mad for as long as I can remember and have been following the story of Funi & Wang Wang religiously. I am so pleased that I will get to meet them next weekend as I am flying from Qld to see them and have arranged a VIP tour as my 40th birthday present. I'm excited, and yet sad, because I will have to leave them behind...but I dare say I will be back, my kids would kill me if I don't take them!
I'm pleased you're back, and hopefully I will have the opportunity to meet the luckiest lady in the world! Say hi to Funi & Wang Wang, in the meantime, I will stay tuned to Panda Cam. Thank you for that wonderful opportunity to share their life in Australia!
Cheers,
Michelle
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written by Michelle Fitz-Gerald, April 24, 2010
Hi Simone and welcome back. I have tried to write on this blog several times and then just realised that I needed to subscribe, so hopefully this one will get through. Firstly, congratulations on your wedding and I loved your surprise guests. Your husband must be someone very special to take you away from gorgeous Funi & Wang Wang. They are abslolutely beautiful. I have loved Panda's all my life and have been following their story. I bet you were stoked when you got the job as their keeper, I think you have the best job in the world!
I will fortunately have the opportunity to meet Funi & Wang Wang next weekend, as I am flying down from Qld next weekend and have a VIP tour booked as my 40th birthday present. I am so excited, and yet sad, as I know it will be hard to leave....but I will be back, as my kids would kill me if I don't take them! I am pleased that you are back and hopefully I get the opportunity to meet the luckiest lady in the world!!
Cheers,
Michelle
I will fortunately have the opportunity to meet Funi & Wang Wang next weekend, as I am flying down from Qld next weekend and have a VIP tour booked as my 40th birthday present. I am so excited, and yet sad, as I know it will be hard to leave....but I will be back, as my kids would kill me if I don't take them! I am pleased that you are back and hopefully I get the opportunity to meet the luckiest lady in the world!!
Cheers,
Michelle
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written by Avalon, April 23, 2010
Hi Simone! Welcome back (sorry I'm a bit late!) and congrats on the panda-resplendant wedding!
Saw the beautiful pandas last weekend - brilliant! The lovely keeper pretty much had to throw me out due to the immenent arrival of the next hour's group!
I could have watched them all day and night! I've had to put a time limit on panda cam or I'll be watching that all day and night too!
Thanks for all the brilliant info and videos!
Bye panda people!
Saw the beautiful pandas last weekend - brilliant! The lovely keeper pretty much had to throw me out due to the immenent arrival of the next hour's group!
I could have watched them all day and night! I've had to put a time limit on panda cam or I'll be watching that all day and night too!
Thanks for all the brilliant info and videos!
Bye panda people!
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written by Laurraine Mosionek, April 21, 2010
Hi Simone,
Firstly, congratulations on your marriage. It sounds wonderful and there is nothing quite so exciting as having a wedding which is out of the square. My eldest daughter actually got married at the Zoo where Wang Wang and Funi now reside, so that will always be a special place for us.
I have been fortunate enough to see the pandas and was moved to tears as they sre so gorgeous. My sincere thanks goes to everyone involved in getting them here to Adelaide Zoo as it is a wonderful thing for Adelaide to be given this honour. I am just looking forward to my next visit and until then, will be watching them on the internet with great interest and love.
Keep up the great work, it is appreciated so much, and big hugs for Wang Wang and Funi.
Firstly, congratulations on your marriage. It sounds wonderful and there is nothing quite so exciting as having a wedding which is out of the square. My eldest daughter actually got married at the Zoo where Wang Wang and Funi now reside, so that will always be a special place for us.
I have been fortunate enough to see the pandas and was moved to tears as they sre so gorgeous. My sincere thanks goes to everyone involved in getting them here to Adelaide Zoo as it is a wonderful thing for Adelaide to be given this honour. I am just looking forward to my next visit and until then, will be watching them on the internet with great interest and love.
Keep up the great work, it is appreciated so much, and big hugs for Wang Wang and Funi.
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written by Michele Nelson, April 21, 2010
They are so beautiful it just makes you want to hug them
I am totally in oar of them
I am totally in oar of them
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written by Maria, April 21, 2010
For the great blog. Happy to see you back. The video of you and Funi taken earlier this year remains my all-time fave video of a panda and their keeper. 
It shows how much you like working with these beautiful bears. Maybe one day I will make it down under to see them.
Maria in Canada
It shows how much you like working with these beautiful bears. Maybe one day I will make it down under to see them. Maria in Canada
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written by Dianne in Texas, April 20, 2010
Simone, I am new to your blog. So happy for you, getting married and all. Your honeymoon sounds exciting! I am so happy for you all in Adelaide. It doesn't take long for these black and white beauties to grab your heart and turn you into panda-lovers. I guess you could call me a 'veteran' pandacam watcher. I watched Tai Shan and Mei Lan from birth, cried like a baby when they went to China. I am an avid San Diego Zoo panda cam watcher, having watched Zhen Zhen and Yun Zi, also from birth. In the U. S. we call ourselves "Pandaholics". 
I am so excited for you in Adelaide. And I am so anxious to watch Wang Wang and Funi on your new pandacams. Are they currently of age to breed? Should I register on your website to be able to see the pandacams?
I am so excited for you in Adelaide. And I am so anxious to watch Wang Wang and Funi on your new pandacams. Are they currently of age to breed? Should I register on your website to be able to see the pandacams?
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