Two new giant pandas are expected to arrive at Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta is thrilled to announce that a new International Cooperative Research Agreement on Giant Panda Conservation was initiated between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

The future Atlanta pandas are male Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang. Both were born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China.

“Zoo Atlanta is delighted and honored to yet again be trusted as stewards of this treasured species and to partner with the China Wildlife Conservation Association on the continued conservation and research efforts that are the most important outcomes of this cooperation,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “We can’t wait to meet Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and to welcome our Members, guests, city, and community back to the wonder and joy of giant pandas.”

Zoo Atlanta’s original giant panda agreement with China, originated in 1999 and concluded in 2024, resulted in a highly productive 25 years of partnership, with seven offspring born to original pair Lun Lun and Yang Yang between 2006 and 2016. Lun Lun, Yang Yang, and their two youngest offspring, Ya Lun and Xi Lun, departed Atlanta for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in October 2024; the pair’s first five offspring also reside there.

In addition to these accomplishments, which included the successful rearing of two sets of twins, Zoo Atlanta’s partnership with colleagues in China forged a longtime history of collaboration and information exchange toward shared goals of the professional care, study, and conservation of the species. Zoo Atlanta’s conservation support has benefited habitat restoration, nature reserve management, ranger support, and etc.

The Chinese government has invested a significant amount of human, material, and financial resources to continuously strengthen the restoration and protection of wild giant panda habitat and has gradually established 67 giant panda reserves. In 2021, a habitat protection system with the Giant Panda National Park as the main body was established, further improving the connectivity, coordination, and integrity of the giant panda habitat. 72% of wild giant pandas, a species classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are strictly protected.

Zoo Atlanta will make future announcements on further information about Ping Ping and Fu Shuang.