Pandas Return to Atlanta Zoo
A ten-year loan from China ends a two-year absence at the Georgia facility.
By Mateo Thompson ·
Visitors at Zoo Atlanta could see the black-and-white bears up close on Friday. Ping Ping and Fu Shuang munched bamboo and rested during their public debut. The arrival ends a two-year empty period in the panda habitat.
The animals arrived in September under a ten-year loan agreement from China. They spent recent weeks acclimating to their new surroundings. The facility renovated the Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove to host them. Both bears are six years old. Ping Ping is male, and Fu Shuang is female.
The zoo lost its previous pandas in 2024. Four bears returned to China, ending a partnership that spanned 25 years. The departure coincided with strained diplomatic relations between the two nations. China often uses panda loans as a tool of goodwill. The country withdraws the animals when tensions rise.
Xie Feng, the Chinese ambassador to the U.S., spoke at a morning news conference. He stated that the arrival marks the renewal of a decade-long bond. He expressed confidence that the bears will eat well and grow strong in their new home.
Rachel Sutherland, 8, traveled from Sacramento with her family. She extended her vacation by one day to see the animals. She said she preferred Ping Ping because the name reminds her of the color pink. The boy has distinctive dark circles around his eyes. Fu Shuang has a protruding forehead, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Kevin Wei, 18, is a student at Georgia Tech. He counted down to the debut day. He noted a personal connection because the pandas are from his hometown of Chengdu. He said the animals help him maintain a connection to China while living in the U.S.
Zoo Atlanta is one of three U.S. zoos currently housing giant pandas. The San Diego Zoo debuted two bears in August 2024. The National Zoo in Washington accepted new pandas in October 2024. Kim Herres, 76, has visited the Atlanta zoo since 1999. She said she is glad the animals are back. She hopes the bears will stay in the United States.
