According to reports from CCTV News and Xinhua News Agency, at 2:55 on September 27, 2026, the giant pandas 'Pingping' and 'Fushuang' took a chartered flight from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Atlanta Zoo, beginning a ten-year journey. Before departing, the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base held a farewell ceremony for the two giant pandas.
The giant panda "Pingping" is male. It was born on March 17, 2020. It has large and dark circles around its eyes, making it very recognizable. It has a sturdy build and is agile in movement. It is particularly good at climbing trees and often rests among the branches.
The giant panda "Fushuang" is female. She was born on October 18, 2020. She has a tuft of fluffy hair on her head, and her forehead is full and slightly protruded forward. She has a roundish appearance and is very responsive. She has a strong ability to find food, and can quickly locate the enrichment food hidden by the breeders.
According to reports, in order to ensure the safety and comfort of cross-ocean transportation, the Chinese team has developed a detailed transportation plan. They have prepared plenty of fresh bamboo shoots, bamboo, apples, and emergency medicines. Additionally, two giant pandas have undergone training to improve their adaptability to transportation, thereby reducing stress. During the flight, the temperature and humidity in the aircraft were maintained within comfortable ranges for the giant pandas. Senior American veterinarians and keepers accompanied the two giant pandas to the United States, monitoring their physical conditions in real time and taking care of their health and diet. The Chinese side has arranged for two groups of veterinarians and keepers to prepare at the zoo in advance. Upon arrival in Atlanta, the giant pandas “Pingping” and “Fushuang” will undergo quarantine. Chinese staff will be stationed at the zoo to take care of the giant pandas during the quarantine period, conducting stress adaptation and behavioral training to help them quickly adjust to their new environment.
To create a healthy and comfortable living environment for the giant pandas "Pingping" and "Fushuang", since December 2025, Chinese experts have held multiple online and offline meetings with Atlanta Zoo to conduct in-depth discussions on the upgrading plan for the pandas' enclosures. Chinese experts provided technical guidance to the American side, clarifying standards for facilities and equipment, breeding management, food supply, and health care. The American side actively adopted the advice of Chinese experts and steadily advanced the renovation work. In mid-September, Chinese experts conducted on-site inspections of the upgraded enclosures. After the renovation, the activity space in the indoor exhibition area was significantly expanded, with additional enrichment facilities such as perches, stone platforms, and ponds added, providing more options for exploration and rest for the pandas. At the same time, the monitoring system was upgraded to provide a more comprehensive real-time overview of both indoor and outdoor enclosures. In terms of food supply, thanks to similar climate conditions to those in Chengdu, the zoo can obtain various types of bamboo nearby, which are harvested fresh throughout the year, fully meeting the needs of the two pandas.
The cooperation between the Chinese side and the Atlanta Zoo for the protection of giant pandas has a history of 25 years, resulting in a series of significant achievements. The two sides have jointly carried out more than 30 special scientific research projects, published over 50 academic papers, and achieved many technological breakthroughs in areas such as giant panda reproduction, behavior studies, and disease prevention and control.
In 1999, giant pandas "Lun Lun" and "Yang Yang" came to the Atlanta Zoo to begin their cooperation. By the end of 2024, a total of 5 litters with 7 cubs were born, making it the best result of international breeding cooperation between China and European and American regions for giant pandas. Currently, all 9 giant pandas have returned to the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base.
This time, the giant pandas “Pingping” and “Fushuang” will go to the United States to initiate a ten-year cooperation on giant panda conservation. Both parties will further deepen their exchanges and cooperation in areas such as giant panda breeding and reproduction, disease prevention and control, scientific research, public education, as well as the protection of wild populations and habitats.
