Giant Pandas Have Arrived in China

Giant Pandas Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun and Xi Lun Have Arrived in China

Pandas from Atlanta have landed in Chengdu

ATLANTA - October 13, 2024 - Giant pandas Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun arrived safely in Chengdu, China, on October 13, 2024, following their departure from Atlanta on October 12 aboard the "FedEx Panda Express," a dedicated Boeing 777 aircraft. Transportation for this move was generously donated by FedEx.

The return of the four pandas to China is in line with Zoo Atlanta's giant panda agreement with China, which expires this month.

Chengdu is the birthplace of Lun Lun and Yang Yang, both of whom were born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in 1997. Daughters Ya Lun and Xi Lun are the sixth and seventh Atlanta-born pandas to travel to China.

"Over the past 25 years, Zoo Atlanta has had the honor and the privilege of introducing millions of guests to these treasured animals. The pandas have made their own distinct mark on the cultural fabric of the city of Atlanta. Their departure is not only bittersweet for Zoo Atlanta and the Panda Care Team, but also for everyone who has had the opportunity to get to know and learn from the pandas over the years," said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. "We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our giant panda program and of our commitment to our international partners who are helping us save this species."

More than 9,000 guests visited during Zoo Atlanta's Panda Palooza event on October 5, making fond farewells to the beloved black-and-white bears; creating bon voyage messages for the pandas; signing thank-you cards for the Panda Care Team; and enjoying panda memories and memorabilia. On September 30, cultural, sports, and philanthropic organizations around the city shared their appreciation for the pandas' legacy in Atlanta as part of the #LastCallYall social media campaign.

2024 marks the 25^th anniversary of the Zoo Atlanta giant panda program. Dating to the mid-1990s, even prior to the arrival of Lun Lun and Yang Yang in 1999, Zoo Atlanta's partnership with colleagues in China has a longtime history of collaboration and information sharing that has benefited the care, study, and conservation of giant pandas.

Since the inception of its giant panda program, Zoo Atlanta has supported the conservation of wild giant pandas and has been in the fortunate position of being able to support giant pandas living in nature reserves. Zoo Atlanta's conservation support benefits habitat restoration, reserve management, and ranger support, as well as genetic diversity research.

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 was established with the Giant Panda National Park as the main body, further improving the connectivity, coordination, and integrity of the giant panda habitat. 72% of wild giant pandas are strictly protected.

In addition to conservation support and contributions to the global body of scientific knowledge of giant pandas and their biology and behavior, the Zoo Atlanta panda cooperative conservation program has been notably successful in terms of future contributions to the population of the species. Seven giant pandas have been born at the Zoo since 2006, including two successful pairs of twins. Offspring of Lun Lun and Yang Yang include Mei Lan (born 2006); Xi Lan (born 2008); Po (born 2010); twins Mei Lun and Mei Huan (born 2013); and twins Ya Lun and Xi Lun (born 2016). Mei Lan, Xi Lan, Po, Mei Lun, and Mei Huan already reside at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China and have since all become parents themselves.

Visit this page on zooatlanta.org to review a comprehensive resource of frequently asked questions; check out commemorative videos and a digital book; read blog posts; and more.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
404.624.2812
[email protected]

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 one of North America's largest zoological populations of great apes and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include the African Savanna, featuring expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; Savanna Hall, a state-of-the-art special event destination in the restored historic former home of the Atlanta Cyclorama; and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Plaza. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.