According to a report by the Associated Press on September 20, the lease agreement between the Atlanta Zoo and China for four giant pandas is set to expire next month. These pandas will be returned to China, concluding a 25-year collaboration.
Raymond King, the zoo’s director, expressed mixed emotions about the pandas’ departure, stating, “The Atlanta Zoo will surely miss ‘Lun Lun,’ ‘Yang Yang,’ ‘Yalun,’ and ‘Xilun.’ Their departure is bittersweet. They have left a lasting impression on their friends and fans and have helped the scientific and zoological communities understand the behavior, biological characteristics, and care methods for this rare species.”
The report noted that last November, the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., returned three giant pandas to China as part of similar lease agreements.
The Atlanta Zoo welcomed “Lun Lun” and “Yang Yang” in 1999. In 2016, they gave birth to twins, “Yalun” and “Xilun,” further enriching the zoo’s panda family. Since 2006, the Atlanta Zoo has successfully bred seven giant pandas, with “Yalun” and “Xilun” being the youngest among them. Their siblings are currently being cared for in China, including another pair of twins.
The return of these pandas marks the end of a significant chapter in panda conservation efforts and public engagement in the U.S. The Atlanta Zoo has played a crucial role in educating visitors about the importance of preserving giant pandas and their natural habitat. The zoo’s pandas have become beloved icons, drawing thousands of visitors and fostering a deeper appreciation for wildlife conservation.
The report states that these beloved giant pandas have only about three weeks left for visitors to see them. The zoo plans to host a “Giant Panda Super Party” on October 5 to bid them farewell with a special event.