Two giant pandas, a female named Fu Shuang and a male named Ping Ping from Chengdu Research Base, China, are debuting at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday. Both are part of Beijing’s long tradition of “panda diplomacy,” with the U.S.
This comes about two years after the zoo said goodbye to its last giant panda pair, Lun Lun, and Yang Yang and their two youngest offspring, due to the expiration of their 10-year loan agreement. They departed Atlanta for China in October 2024.
The male and female pandas, who arrived in Atlanta on Sept. 27, will make their debut in the newly renovated Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove, a $6 million habitat designed with their well-being in mind. The upgraded space features expanded indoor areas, new climbing structures,
pools, outdoor habitats and tranquil water features.
The pandas’ arrival comes through a new conservation research agreement between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, making Zoo Atlanta one of only three U.S. zoos housing giant pandas and the only one in the Southeast.
How to tell the pandas apart
Fu Shuang (pronounced Foo Shwong) is a 6-year-old female and Ping Ping a 6-year-old male were both born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China.
About the giant panda
Giant pandas are classified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, with approximately 1,864 living in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Where do giant pandas live?
Central China, home to the only natural habitat for giant pandas, owns most of the world's giant pandas. Although conservation efforts have helped their population recover, pandas still face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, which limit their access to bamboo forests and potential mates.
Timeline of panda diplomacy in the US
Pandas have been a symbol of diplomacy between the U.S. and China since 1972 when China gifted a pair, Ling ling and Hsing Hsing, to the National Zoo in Washington. Lending pandas to zoos across the U.S. and other countries also encourages reproduction and helps save the giant pandas from extinction.
Four zoos in the U.S. have hosted pandas since 1972. Currently six giant pandas are evenly split across three major institutions.
The Memphis Zoo's last giant pandas were Ya Ya and Le Le. They lived at the zoo for 20 years, starting in 2003. Le Le died in February 2023, and Ya Ya returned to China in April 2023 after their loan agreement concluded. The giant panda exhibit is currently empty.
How to watch the pandas online
If you can't make it to Zoo Atlanta to see the Fu Shuang and Ping Ping, you can catch them on the Panda cam that will launch when the bears make their public debut.
SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giant pandas Fu Shuang and Ping Ping make debut at Zoo Atlanta
