The Federal Government has said Adelaide Zoo's two popular giant pandas will be staying put regardless of which of the major parties wins the election.
But despite making the announcement, the Government itself will not be paying to keep Wang Wang and Fu Ni when the current lease agreement expires this year.
Under a deal with China, the South Australian Government would instead spend about $3.5 million over five years allowing the pandas to remain until at least 2024.
The funding commitment is expected to "unlock" another $35 million in private investment to develop a safari resort and other facilities, Mr Birmingham said.
Monarto Zoo already attracts about 160,000 visitors each year but its current visitor centre is more than 20 years.
Ms Bensted said the facilities could not "cope" with a "rapid growth in visitation" over the past five years.
"We're very hopeful and have plans that that will increase above 220,000 visitors," she said.
"Here at Adelaide [Zoo] we get about 420,000 visitors every year and about a third of those come from outside of South Australia."