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December 23, 2024
October 23, 2024

Zoo Atlanta bids bittersweet farewell to pandas as they return to China after 25 years

Written by: E. George

Published October 23, 2024 @ 1:40 PM ET

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – On Saturday, October 5, 2024, Zoo Atlanta hosted a heartwarming farewell event for its four giant pandas—Lun Lun, Yang Yang, and their twins Ya Lun and Xi Lun—who are set to return to China after decades in Atlanta. The day was marked by a palpable sense of nostalgia and celebration as hundreds of visitors lined up to bid adieu to these beloved animals.

Grace Sheng and her husband, Evan Affinito, traveled three hours from Columbia, South Carolina, to attend the farewell event. Upon arrival, they were greeted by a long queue that extended back to the rhino exhibit.

Despite waiting nearly two hours, the couple found solace in the pleasant weather, with temperatures in the 70s and a crisp, dry atmosphere. “We became obsessed with panda cams during the pandemic,” Sheng shared, noting the 24/7 live feeds from the zoo. “They are so cute.”

While pandas are often noted for their laid-back lifestyle—primarily eating, sleeping, and, yes, pooping—Sheng found them relatable. “That’s what I like to do!” she remarked, half-jokingly.

Zoo Atlanta organized a special farewell event, “Panda-Palooza,” which drew over 9,300 attendees—double the number typically seen on a fall Saturday. As visitors entered, they were greeted with fun activities, including the distribution of “I’m a Panda Fan” fans, which quickly ran out, and temporary panda tattoos for children. The atmosphere was festive, with a person dressed in a panda costume adding to the excitement.

The pandas were on display in climate-controlled spaces to keep them comfortable in the warm weather. Zoo Atlanta’s animal immersion supervisor, Andrew Hogan, shared fascinating facts about pandas, noting that they consume between 30 to 40 pounds of bamboo daily and can poop up to 100 times a day—a fact that brought smiles to the faces of eager visitors.

Zoo Atlanta has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding for the past 25 years. Lun Lun and Yang Yang have been a part of this collaboration for nearly their entire lives, successfully raising seven offspring, five of whom have already returned to China. The two youngest, Ya Lun and Xi Lun, will soon join their family on a private flight back to their native habitat.

Megan Locke, who played a role in bringing the pandas to the zoo in the late 1990s, returned for the farewell event. “The place was falling apart,” she recalled. “I thought bringing the pandas in would bring them more money.” Locke expressed her satisfaction with the success of the panda program, stating, “I’m pleased I was part of it all. I came to say goodbye.”

For Zoo Atlanta’s employees, the pandas’ departure is particularly emotional. Sam Rivera, the zoo’s vice president of animal health, will accompany the pandas back to China along with two zookeepers. “It’s going to be tough. It’s sad and very emotional,” Rivera admitted. “What makes it easier for me is that they are going to a great facility.”

Raymond King, the zoo’s president and CEO, echoed these sentiments, describing people’s unique connection with pandas. “You look at them, and you want to cuddle them. Even watching them eat bamboo is entertaining,” he said, reflecting on the zoo’s experiences over the years.

Zoo Atlanta’s contribution to panda conservation over the last 25 years has amounted to approximately $17 million, helping to build more than 65 panda reserves in China. This commitment has played a crucial role in improving the conservation status of giant pandas, which were reclassified from endangered to vulnerable in 2016 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

While the pandas brought joy and attention to the zoo, they also contributed to its financial turnaround. Although the zoo struggled financially for years after the pandas’ arrival, it found stability under King’s leadership starting in 2010. “We have almost a new zoo compared to 1999,” King remarked, highlighting the improvements made during his tenure, including new habitats and exhibits.

As the farewell event concluded, the future of the pandas’ former exhibit remains uncertain. King expressed hope that Atlanta might welcome pandas again in the future, noting that other zoos have successfully reestablished panda partnerships after similar agreements ended.