Two Giant Pandas Arrive at Zoo Atlanta in Rare Loan from China

Two giant pandas, male Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang, arrived safely at Zoo Atlanta on Sunday, September 27, 2026, marking a significant moment in renewed panda diplomacy between China and the United States. The pair traveled from Chengdu, China, aboard a dedicated "FedEx Panda Express" Boeing 777 aircraft, with FedEx generously donating the transportation for the six-year-old male and five-year-old female. This new 10-year conservation agreement reintroduces giant pandas to Atlanta, nearly two years after the zoo's previous pandas returned to China in 2024.

Born in 2020 at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang's arrival was publicly confirmed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a recent summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Their presence at Zoo Atlanta signifies a continuation of China's long-standing tradition of using pandas as "envoys of friendship". Zoo Atlanta is now one of only three zoos in the U.S. to house giant pandas and the only one in the Southeast.

Upon their arrival, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang will undergo a routine quarantine period of approximately one month within a biosecure area of Zoo Atlanta's new giant panda complex. Chinese veterinarians and breeders are also on hand to assist with their care during this initial acclimatization phase. The zoo anticipates announcing details of their public debut and new habitat in the coming weeks.