ATLANTA — It’s official: Zoo Atlanta will send its beloved giant pandas back to China by the end of this year.
Zoo Atlanta made the announcement Friday that Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun will leave sometime in “late 2024.”
The Zoo says it will take months to plan their departure but it has started the process. The final date to see the pandas is still in the works.
“While Zoo Atlanta remains committed to the stewardship and long-term conservation of the species, no discussions have yet taken place with partners in China as to the future of the Zoo’s giant panda program following the expiration of Zoo Atlanta’s current agreement,” the zoo said in a statement.
TRENDING STORIES
- Scottie Scheffler arrested by police en route to Valhalla Golf Club; facing four charges
- Postal Service says it’s putting plans in place to make sure absentee ballots get delivered on time
- Thieves hit 2 Gwinnett businesses in less than 30 minutes, leaving thousands in damage
Lun Lun and Yang Yang made their Zoo Atlanta debut 25 years ago. Twin pandas Ya Lun and Xi Lun were born at Zoo Atlanta in Sept. 2016.
For the rest of year, Zoo Atlanta is the only place you can see giant pandas in the U.S. China decided not to renew loan agreements at three other zoos in San Diego, Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee, in recent years.
Can’t make it to Atlanta soon? Zoo Atlanta offers a panda cam that you can watch here.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
This browser does not support the video element.