Does Zoo Atlanta currently have giant pandas?
No; however, on April 23, 2026, Zoo Atlanta announced a new International Cooperative Research Agreement on Giant Panda Conservation, initiated between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. As part of this agreement, two new giant pandas will be traveling to Zoo Atlanta.
Does Zoo Atlanta have another giant panda agreement with China?
Yes. On April 23, 2026, Zoo Atlanta announced a new International Cooperative Research Agreement on Giant Panda Conservation with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
Who are the giant pandas who will be traveling to Zoo Atlanta?
The giant pandas are male Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang. Both were born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. Ping Ping was born March 17, 2020, and Fu Shuang was born October 18, 2020.
When will the new pandas arrive?
Zoo Atlanta will make future announcements with further information about Ping Ping and Fu Shuang.
What is happening with the giant panda habitat?
In February 2025, Zoo Atlanta initiated the preliminary design phase of an expansion to the giant panda complex, and construction has continued to progress as part of that process. Stay tuned for exciting future updates.
What happened to the original giant pandas at Zoo Atlanta?
Zoo Atlanta’s original giant panda loan agreement with China expired in October 2024, the year which also marked the 25th anniversary of the Zoo’s giant panda program. The four remaining giant pandas at Zoo Atlanta, original pair Lun Lun and Yang Yang and their two youngest offspring, Ya Lun and Xi Lun, departed Atlanta for China on October 12, 2024. All now reside at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, as do Lun Lun’s and Yang Yang’s five previous offspring.
How does the new agreement impact giant panda conservation?
Through this new agreement, Zoo Atlanta will once again be able to have a meaningful impact on the conservation of giant pandas, a species currently classified as Vulnerable by the Institute for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Zoo Atlanta’s conservation support has previously benefited habitat restoration, nature reserve management, ranger support, and more. We are excited to be able to see these efforts continue for the benefit of wild giant pandas, the majority of which live on nature reserves.
In addition to the conservation of the species, Zoo Atlanta’s partnership with colleagues in China has forged a longtime history of collaboration and information exchange toward shared goals of the professional care and study of giant pandas.