After a quarter-century of delighting visitors and contributing to conservation efforts, Zoo Atlanta has announced that its four iconic giant pandas will return to China in mid-October. The departure coincides with the expiration of the zoo’s giant panda agreement with China at the end of the month.
The pandas, Lun Lun, Yang Yang, and their twin daughters Ya Lun and Xi Lun, have been beloved residents of the zoo, capturing the hearts of millions. Raymond B. King, president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta, expressed mixed emotions over their departure. “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,” King said in a press release. “They have left 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.”
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Zoo Atlanta’s giant panda program. Since the arrival of Lun Lun and Yang Yang in 1999, the zoo has maintained a strong partnership with colleagues in China. “Dating to the mid-1990s, even prior to the arrival of Lun Lun and Yang Yang, 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,” the zoo noted.
The cooperative conservation program has been notably successful, contributing significantly to the global population of giant pandas. Zoo Atlanta’s efforts have enhanced understanding of panda behavior and biology, fostering advancements in conservation strategies.
As the pandas prepare for their journey back to China, Zoo Atlanta reflects on the profound impact of this international partnership. The return of Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun signifies not just the end of an era for the zoo, but also underscores the importance of global collaboration in wildlife conservation.
While visitors and staff will miss the pandas, their legacy will endure through continued conservation efforts and the cherished memories they’ve left behind. The zoo encourages supporters to visit and bid farewell to these remarkable animals before their departure.
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Four giant pandas at Zoo Atlanta to return to China in mid-October
cgtn.com
