ZOO ATLANTA ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE TIMELINE FOR GIANT PANDAS

Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun will travel to China in mid-October

ATLANTA - September 20, 2024-Giant pandas Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun will travel to China in mid-October 2024, in tandem with the expiration of Zoo Atlanta's giant panda agreement with China at the end of that month.

Zoo Atlanta is not able to share specifics on the pandas' departure timeline. However, friends and fans interested in visiting the giant pandas are encouraged to do so within the next three weeks.

Prior to their departure, the giant pandas will be visible at the Zoo's Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Giant Panda Conservation Center.

"While Zoo Atlanta will certainly miss Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun, and their departure is bittersweet, they have created a momentous legacy here in Atlanta and around the world, leaving their mark not only in the hearts of their friends and fans, but on the scientific and zoological communities' understanding of the behavior, biology, and care of this rare and treasured species," said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. "It has been our privilege to be able to share this remarkable family with our Members and guests for 25 years."

2024 marks the 25thanniversary of the Zoo Atlanta giant panda program. Dating to the mid-1990s, even prior to the arrival of Lun Lun and Yang Yang in 1999, Zoo Atlanta's partnership with colleagues in China has a longtime history of collaboration and information sharing that has benefited the care, study, and conservation of giant pandas.

Zoo Atlanta will host a "Panda-Palooza" event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2024, with special activities wishing the giant pandas farewell. Stay tuned to zooatlanta.org for event details.

Since the inception of its giant panda program, Zoo Atlanta has supported the conservation of wild giant pandas and has been in the fortunate position of being able to support giant pandas living in nature reserves. Zoo Atlanta's conservation support benefits habitat restoration, reserve management, and ranger support, as well as genetic diversity research.

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 habitat and has gradually established 67 giant panda reserves. In 2021, a habitat protection system with the Giant Panda National Park as the main body was established, further improving the connectivity, coordination and integrity of the giant panda habitat. 72% of wild giant pandas are strictly protected.

In addition to conservation support and contributions to the global body of scientific knowledge of giant pandas and their biology and behavior, the Zoo Atlanta panda cooperative conservation program has been notably successful in terms of future contributions to the population of the species. Seven giant pandas have been born at the Zoo since 2006, including two successful pairs of twins. Offspring of Lun Lun and Yang Yang include Mei Lan (born 2006); Xi Lan (born 2008); Po (born 2010); twins Mei Lun and Mei Huan (born 2013); and twins Ya Lun and Xi Lun (born 2016). Mei Lan, Xi Lan, Po, Mei Lun, and Mei Huan already reside at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China and have since all become parents themselves.

Visit this pageon zooatlanta.org to watch the pandas on PandaCam presented by Cricket; view a comprehensive resource of frequently asked questions; check out a commemorative video and digital book; read blog posts; and more.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
[email protected]
404.624.2812

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include giant pandas.; one of North America's largest zoological populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include the African Savanna, featuring new and expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; Savanna Hall, a state-of-the-art special event destination in the restored historic former home of the Atlanta Cyclorama; and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Plaza. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.