Two giant pandas have left China for Atlanta, marking the return of the beloved animals to Zoo Atlanta and adding a new chapter to the long history of China’s “panda diplomacy.”
Male panda Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang departed Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport early Sunday aboard a chartered flight bound for the United States. The pair are headed to Zoo Atlanta, where they will live under a new 10-year international cooperative research agreement between the zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
Both pandas were born in 2020 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Ping Ping was born on March 17, while Fu Shuang was born on October 18. Zoo Atlanta and Chinese officials selected the pair after considering factors including age, health, genetics and temperament.
The journey includes extensive preparation for the animals’ comfort and safety. Fresh bamboo shoots, apples and other food were prepared for the approximately 15-hour flight, while experienced animal-care professionals and Chinese veterinary staff are involved in their transportation and arrival process. The pandas are also expected to undergo quarantine after reaching Atlanta.
Zoo Atlanta has been preparing for their return by upgrading its panda facilities and expanding the animals’ indoor activity areas. The zoo has also worked to establish a reliable bamboo supply and assemble a specialized care team for the new arrivals.
The arrival restores a panda presence at Zoo Atlanta after the previous loan agreement ended in 2024. Lun Lun, Yang Yang and their two youngest offspring, Ya Lun and Xi Lun, returned to China that year after a 25-year partnership that produced seven cubs in Atlanta.
The new agreement also continues Zoo Atlanta’s conservation and research collaboration with Chinese institutions. According to the zoo, the partnership has supported habitat restoration, nature-reserve management and other conservation efforts involving giant pandas.
The pandas’ journey also carries diplomatic significance. China has used giant panda loans for decades as a symbol of goodwill and international cooperation. The tradition between China and the United States dates to 1972, when pandas were sent to Washington following President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently described the animals as an “envoy of friendship” between the Chinese and American people.
With Ping Ping and Fu Shuang now on their way, Atlanta is preparing to welcome back one of the zoo’s most recognizable attractions. Their arrival represents both a new conservation partnership and another highly visible connection between China and the United States.
