We’ve got huge news, Atlanta! Earlier today, September 27th, two giant pandas on loan from the Chinese government touched down in the ATL. Keep scrolling to learn about what we know so far about these gentle giants.
The pandas have arrived
According to a new report by CNN,
CNN’s team at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport saw two large crates lowered to the ground and then each loaded onto a FedEx truck. With a police escort, the trucks left the airport for the 10-mile drive to the zoo.
From there, the pandas were brought into Zoo Atlanta, where they will begin this new era of their lives!
Zoo Atlanta announced on social media earlier today:
Zoo Atlanta is overjoyed to announce that giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang have arrived in Atlanta. They’re not yet visible – but we can’t wait to introduce them to you as we usher in a new era for Atlanta pandas!
In a press release, Zoo Atlanta states,
Ping Ping and Fu Shuang are not yet visible. The bears will be housed in a biosecure area of Zoo Atlanta’s new giant panda complex for a routine quarantine period of around a month. Zoo Atlanta will make exciting future announcements about the new arrivals, including the name of their new home, design details of their expanded habitat, and the date when Members and guests can expect to see them.
Meet the new pandas: Ping Ping and Fu Shuang
Zoo Atlanta’s new pandas are:
- Ping Ping, a male giant panda
- Fu Shuang, a female giant panda
Both pandas were born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China.
According to the Zoo,
Ping Ping’s name is part of a name given at birth to him and his twin brother, representing a blessing for a smooth and healthy life. Fu Shuang’s name comes from ‘Fu Lu,’ a reference to her and her mother and meaning ‘happiness’.
Stay tuned for more information about when you can meet these two new giant pandas!