ATLANTA — Zoo Atlanta says it has launched a new giant panda conservation partnership with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, setting the stage for the return of pandas to the zoo after the departure of its previous animals in 2024.
The zoo said the new International Cooperative Research Agreement identifies a male panda named Ping Ping and a female named Fu Shuang as the future pair for Atlanta. Both were born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China.
Zoo Atlanta’s previous agreement with China began in 1999 and concluded in 2024. During that 25-year partnership, the zoo’s original pair, Lun Lun and Yang Yang, produced seven offspring between 2006 and 2016, including two sets of twins, the zoo said.
Lun Lun, Yang Yang and the two youngest offspring, Ya Lun and Xi Lun, left Atlanta for Chengdu in October 2024, and the other five offspring also live there, according to the zoo.
The zoo said the earlier partnership included research and professional collaboration tied to the care and conservation of giant pandas, as well as support for habitat-related efforts in China. Zoo Atlanta said that work has benefited areas such as habitat restoration, nature reserve management and ranger support.
Zoo Atlanta said it will share additional details about Ping Ping and Fu Shuang in future announcements.
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