2 giant pandas make public debut at Zoo Atlanta after China loan

Two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, made their public debut at Zoo Atlanta on Nov. 6, drawing visitors as they ate bamboo and explored their new habitat. The pair arrived from Chengdu in September on a FedEx flight nicknamed the “Panda Express” and are on loan from China for the next 10 years. Zoo Atlanta renovated its panda facilities, trained caretakers and secured a long-term local bamboo supply ahead of their arrival. The zoo previously hosted pandas from 1999 until 2024, and seven cubs were born there before returning to Chengdu. The male and female pandas, both born in 2020, are expected to become breeding partners. China has long sent pandas abroad as part of its diplomatic outreach.