Giant pandas leaving Zoo Atlanta to China later this year

The giant panda agreement between China and Zoo Atlanta expires later this year, meaning plans for the four pandas, Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun, to travel to China are underway.

Zoo Atlanta shared in a press release that they have already applied for the pandas’ international travel permit, with them set to send the pandas to China in the “final quarter of 2024.”

There is no specific information on the timing of the pandas’ departure. Zoo Atlanta is working with partners in China to identify the timing.

Caption

Yang Yang, a 25-year-old male giant panda at Zoo Atlanta entered his dayroom habitat on December 20, 2022, to find two identical boxes painted with team logos, and made his pick.

Credit: Zoo Atlanta

As for the future of the giant panda program at Zoo Atlanta, there are no plans for new giant pandas to join the zoo. 

“While Zoo Atlanta remains committed to the stewardship and long-term conservation of the species, no discussions have yet taken place with partners in China as to the future of the Zoo’s giant panda program following the expiration of Zoo Atlanta’s current agreement,” Zoo Atlanta wrote in a statement.

In January, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi promised that giant pandas would return to the U.S., specifically in California, by the end of the year. Following this announcement, in April, the San Francisco Zoo shared that they will receive a pair of pandas from China in 2025.

In the meantime, Zoo Atlanta is planning a Summer of Celebration to commemorate the legacy of the giant panda program and its 25-year milestone this year. 

The zoo will host the kickoff event on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

The activities will include “dynamic cultural performances and educational activities” from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are free for Zoo Atlanta Members and those with general admission tickets.