Debut day set for Ping Ping and Fu Shuang in the all-new Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove

Zoo Atlanta is thrilled to announce the name of the new giant panda habitat – Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove – and its opening day, set for Friday, November 6, 2026.

Zoo Atlanta announced the arrival of a new pair of giant pandas, male Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang, on September 27, 2026. The pandas are in Atlanta through a new International Cooperative Research Agreement on Giant Panda Conservation, initiated between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. Zoo Atlanta is now one of three zoos in the U.S. to house giant pandas and is the only zoological organization in the Southeast the species calls home.

Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove is named in honor of Arthur Blank’s longtime support of Zoo Atlanta’s giant panda program, dating back to 1999 with the arrival of original panda pair Lun Lun and Yang Yang. In tribute to that support, the Zoo’s first giant panda habitat, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Giant Panda Conservation Center, also bore his name in recognition of that investment.  

The $6 million renovation to bring the vision for Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove to fruition was funded by a grant from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, another longstanding partner of Zoo Atlanta and supporter of the giant panda program.

“This is a momentous occasion in Zoo Atlanta history. We are overjoyed to introduce Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and the all-new Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove to our community, City of Atlanta, State of Georgia, and beyond on November 6. Members and guests who recall the original giant panda habitat will know immediately upon entry that they are in for an entirely new experience,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “We are deeply grateful to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, and our incredible philanthropic community for their long-term support, investment in, and vision for the giant panda program at Zoo Atlanta.”

About Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove

The giant panda habitat has been completely updated to include many new features designed with giant panda wellbeing in mind, as well as new experiences for Members and guests. The giant panda dayrooms have been expanded and upgraded to include new climbing structures and a pool in each. The outdoor habitats also feature new climbing structures.

The appearance of the complex has been entirely redesigned, with tranquil surroundings promoting a contemplative experience. New additions include water features with aquatic flora and a dramatic sculpture celebrating a hopeful future for wildlife and the role of the giant panda as a global animal ambassador for peace and harmony.

“The return of giant pandas to Zoo Atlanta is an exciting moment for our city as we once again become home to one of the world’s most beloved animals,” said Arthur M. Blank. “As a lifelong animal lover, I’ve always believed in the importance of caring for and protecting the animals that share our world, and this is what makes our Foundation’s support of this effort especially meaningful to me. The Grove will give generations of Atlantans and guests from around the world the chance to experience these remarkable animals up close, while advancing conservation research, education and global efforts to protect giant pandas for generations to come.”

In honor of the upcoming debut of Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, panda friends and fans near and far are encouraged to purchase an item from a panda-specific Animal Wish List of items hand-selected by the Panda Care Team. Items are shipped directly to Zoo Atlanta. See the list here.

Zoo Atlanta will have a delayed opening on Friday, November 6. Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for updates.

Get tickets today on zooatlanta.org, and stay tuned to the Zoo’s Panda Page to stay abreast of all things panda.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
404.624.2812
rdavis@zooatlanta.org

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations Manager
404.624.5980
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to hundreds of animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include a transformed African Savanna featuring expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostrich, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; one of North America’s largest populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include a newly updated African lion complex, opened in April 2025, and the state-of-the-art Rollins Animal Health Center, completed in 2024. In April 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, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, arrived in Atlanta on September 27, 2026, and their newly updated Atlanta home, Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove, will open on November 6. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.