PREVIEW

BY MARK WORGAN

Two giant pandas have arrived in Atlanta from China following the country’s leader Xi Jinping’s White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Six-year-old male Ping Ping and five-year-old female Fu Shuang landed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on 27 September aboard a specially designated FedEx Boeing 777 cargo aircraft known as the "FedEx Panda Express".

The animals travelled non-stop from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and were the only cargo on board, accompanied by fresh bamboo, water and treats.

FedEx, which donated the cost of transporting the pandas, said they travelled in specially built crates and were accompanied by animal specialists from Zoo Atlanta.

The pair have moved to the zoo under a new International Cooperative Research Agreement on Giant Panda Conservation between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

Their arrival makes Zoo Atlanta one of three zoos in the US housing giant pandas and the only one in the south-eastern United States.

Raymond B King, president and chief executive of Zoo Atlanta, said: “This is a thrilling day for Zoo Atlanta and a historic moment for the City of Atlanta, the state of Georgia, and beyond.

“We are elated to welcome Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and could not be more excited about sharing that joy with our Members, guests, city, and community in the coming weeks. Zoo Atlanta is honored to partner with the China Wildlife Conservation Association to see important work continue toward the conservation of giant pandas, which is the most important benefit of guarding this species.”

Ping Ping and Fu Shuang were born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding on 17 March 2020 and 18 October 2020 respectively.

Ping Ping's name is part of a name given to him and his twin brother at birth, representing a blessing for a smooth and healthy life.
Fu Shuang's name derives from "Fu Lu", a reference to her and her mother which means "happiness".

The pandas will not immediately be visible to visitors and have begun a routine quarantine period expected to last about a month.

They are being kept in a biosecure section of Zoo Atlanta's new giant panda complex while they settle into their surroundings.

The zoo said further details about their expanded habitat and the date of their public debut would be announced later.

Richard W Smith, chief operating officer, International, and chief executive officer, Airline, at FedEx, said: “We have had the privilege of transporting giant pandas for more than two decades, and every time the FedEx Panda Express is called into service, our entire team feels the significance of the mission.

“Safely delivering Ping Ping and Fu Shuang to their new home in Atlanta underscores our long-standing commitment to global conservation and our network’s ability to securely transport high-priority, precious cargo.”

Zoo Atlanta has a history of keeping giant pandas stretching back more than 25 years. Its original agreement with China began in 1999 and concluded in 2024.

During that period, seven cubs were born to giant pandas Lun Lun and Yang Yang between 2006 and 2016, including two sets of twins.

Lun Lun and Yang Yang, along with their youngest offspring, Ya Lun and Xi Lun, left Atlanta for the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in October 2024. The pair's other five offspring also live at the facility.

The Chinese government’s sending of giant pandas to zoos around the world has become known as “panda diplomacy” and seen as a gesture of goodwill when attempting to improve relations with other states.

Giant pandas were previously classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but their status was changed to vulnerable in 2016.

There are nearly 1,900 giant pandas remaining in the wild, according to figures provided by Zoo Atlanta, with 72% living under strict protection in nature reserves.

China has established 67 giant panda reserves and in 2021 created the Giant Panda National Park as part of efforts to improve connections between habitats and protect wild populations.

Zoo Atlanta said its previous conservation partnership had supported work in China since the 1990s, including habitat protection, scientific research, breeding and public education.

Ping Ping and Fu Shuang are expected to make their public debut at Zoo Atlanta later this year.