Ping Ping & Fu Shuang arrived in Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta is overjoyed to announce that giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang have landed in Atlanta.

The pandas arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on September 27, 2026, via a dedicated “FedEx Panda Express” Boeing 777 aircraft. FedEx generously donated the transportation. The pandas are in Atlanta through a new International Cooperative Research Agreement on Giant Panda Conservation initiated between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. Zoo Atlanta is now one of three zoos in the U.S. to house giant pandas and is the only zoological organization in the Southeast the species will call home. “This is a thrilling day for Zoo Atlanta and a historic moment for the City of Atlanta, the state of Georgia, and beyond,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “We are elated to welcome Ping Ping and Fu Shuang and could not be more excited about sharing that joy with our Members, guests, city, and community in the coming weeks. Zoo Atlanta is honored to partner with the China Wildlife Conservation Association to see important work continue toward the conservation of giant pandas, which is the most important benefit of guarding this species.”

Male Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang (pronounced Foo Shwong) were born in China at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding on March 17, 2020, and October 18, 2020, respectively.

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”.  

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.