New Zealand PM backs pandas for Wellington Zoo
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Wellington Zoo said it has been approached about whether it could take endangered giant pandas - and the Prime Minister's all for it.
Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast's office has confirmed that the possibility of bringing the pandas to the capital was discussed when Ms Prendergast met the Mayor of Beijing in China at the beginning of June.
The zoo's chief executive, Karen Fifield, said major infrastructure changes would be needed if the giant pandas came. Part of the zoo would have to be redeveloped to house them, she said.
In Adelaide, the number of visitors to the city's zoo has gone up 70 percent since giant pandas took up residence there six months ago.
Wellington Zoo said that's an exciting prospect. Discussions are at an early stage, however, and nothing's in black and white yet.
Prime Minister John Key said he first expressed an interest in bringing pandas here last year and will talk more about it next week during a visit to Beijing himself.
He said it would be a great way of extending New Zealand's relationship with China.
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