Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Giant Pandas and Little Penguins combine for conservation

Giant Pandas and Little Penguins combine for conservation
October 8, 2015

The Victorian Government has signed a landmark 'sister park' agreement between Phillip Island Nature Parks and Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Centre.

Touring the Giant Panda Breeding Centre in the Chinese city of Chengdu last week, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews witnessed the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between the two conservation centres.

The new relationship between the Phillip Island and Chengdu Parks will enable valuable opportunities for both organisations to share their knowledge and research, as well as staff exchange and development.

Commenting on the partnership, Premier Andrews stated “this is an incredible opportunity for two of the world’s dedicated conservation warriors to come together to share research, experience and facilities for creatures great and small.

“This relationship won’t only facilitate new opportunities for Phillip Island researchers, but it’ll provide another means of promotion to another of Victoria’s world-class nature attractions.”

The Nature Park and Panda Breeding Centre are recognised leaders in conservation and eco-tourism, and their common goals and values provide the perfect foundation for transnational collaboration. Both organisations are committed to conservation management, world-leading research, and education, to ensure the ongoing survival of a number of species.

Phillip Island Nature Parks hosts more than 1.2 million visitors each year and is one of Australia's leading nature-based ecotourism operators. The Penguin Parade attracts more than 150,000 visitors from China annually, and is the number one attraction in Victoria for Chinese tourists.

The Panda Breeding Centre has a strong history of international cooperation, previously working with zoos and universities in Japan, Spain, France and the US. These relationships have helped to further giant panda breeding, protection, research and education; resulting in 15 giant pandas successfully born in captivity at the centre.

Phillip Island Nature Parks has a similarly successful history of species conservation. Its efforts to protect and enhance the little penguin colony at Phillip Island has seen the population grow from 12,000 breeding birds in 1984 to more than 30,000 in 2015.

The new agreement builds on a cooperative arrangement made between Victoria and Sichuan Province earlier this year, designed to foster collaboration and friendship.

In Chengdu, Premier Andrews was joined by Phillip Island Nature Parks Chief Executive Matthew Jackson who announced that, in partnership with WWF-Australia, a world-first interactive Antarctic experience that will open at Phillip Island in December.

Visitors to the 'Antarctic Journey' at the Nobbies Centre will find themselves completely immersed in a breath-taking and captivating multimedia experience that will put them right at the heart of all the action. 

Images: Pandas at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Centre (top) and Little Penguins at the Phillip Island Nature Parks (below).

7th October 2015 - OCEAN PARK LOOKING FORWARD TO GIANT PANDA BIRTH

24th August 2015 - ADELAIDE ZOO CELEBRATES GIANT PANDA FU NI’S NINTH BIRTHDAY

28th April 2014 - PHILLIP ISLAND NATURE PARKS WELCOMES NEW AMBASSADOR FOR PENGUINS

23rd March 2014 - MAJOR TOURISM EXPANSION ANNOUNCED FOR VICTORIA’S PHILLIP ISLAND

23rd July 2010 - CHINA LAUNCHES GLOBAL SEARCH FOR PANDA KEEPERS


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Pico Play

Pico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Recreation / Tourism

 
 

IEDM

iEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…

read more

Consultants / Design

 
 

Ticketworx Pty Ltd

Ticketworx (formerly House of Tickets) is Australia and New Zealand’s foremost ticket specialist servicing some 2,700 clients and producing in excess of 30 million per tickets per annum.…

read more

Entertainment / Events / Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Again Faster

ABOUT Again Faster is a Brisbane based, Australian owned supplier of strength and conditioning and functional fitness equipment. With nearly 10 years experience in the Australian market, we are…

read more

Fitness / Recreation

 
 

Active World

Since 2019, Active World's development team has been delivering a comprehensive single solution that caters to the diverse requirements of successfully operated and managed leisure centres. The…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

ProSlide Technology

ProSlide is the global leader in water ride design and manufacturing, supplying high-performance water attractions to new and expanding water parks around the world. For over three decades, ProSlide…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Aflex Inflatables

Aflex Inflatables are the leaders for obstacle courses, pool toys, waterparks and land-based watersides and fitness runs. They are industry leaders offering the widest range of pool, lake and beach…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

DAE Global

DAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years.  It was…

read more

Culture / Entertainment / Events / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business