Panda Loan to Zoo Atlanta

China first loaned pandas to the United States in 1972, and Zoo Atlanta started its partnership in 1999. The earlier pair, Lun Lun and Yang Yang, produced seven cubs across five litters, the most successful breeding record in international panda cooperation. The collaboration also supported behavioral training, preventive veterinary care, and conservation education.

China DailyChina DailyChina to send 2 giant pandas to US under new 10-year deal

The China Wildlife Conservation Association negotiated the 10-year loan and provides scientific guidance; Zoo Atlanta, led by President-CEO Raymond B. King, is upgrading facilities with Chinese technical advice on enclosure design, nutrition and health. The pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, come from Chengdu Research Base. The partnership builds on a record of two pandas, seven cubs from the previous pair, 67 reserves protecting wild pandas and 72 % of the population under strict protection. The IUCN reclassified giant pandas from “endangered” to “vulnerable” in 2016.

China DailyChina to send 2 giant pandas to US under new 10-year dealPBS News Hour

CWCA said the agreement will advance disease prevention, scientific exchanges, field conservation and development of China’s Giant Panda National Park, but did not disclose pandas’ departure date, noting only that U.S. upgrades are underway. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized improvements to panda health, global biodiversity protection and stronger Sino-American ties. Zoo Atlanta’s leadership expressed honor in resuming stewardship, said the upgraded facilities are essential for the pandas’ well-being, and expects the animals to arrive in 2026 after Trump’s May meeting with Xi Jinping.

China to send 2 giant pandas to US under new 10-year dealPBS News HourChina Daily

• “We can't wait to meet Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and to welcome our members, guests, city, and community back to the wonder and joy of giant pandas,” — Raymond B. King, President, Zoo Atlanta

PBS News Hour

• “China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters that the new round of cooperation on conservation would help improve the health and well-being of the giant pandas, advance global biodiversity protection and strengthen the friendship between the Chinese and American people.” — Guo Jiakun, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson

PBS News Hour

• “The Chinese government has invested a significant amount of human, material and financial resources to continuously strengthen the restoration and protection of wild giant panda habitats and has gradually established 67 giant panda reserves," it said.” — Zoo Atlanta press release citing CWCA

China Daily

• “The renewed partnership will focus on disease prevention and control, scientific exchanges, giant panda field conservation and development of China's Giant Panda National Park, the association said.” — China Wildlife Conservation Association statement

China Daily