New giant pandas from China arrive in Atlanta zoo

Updated on: September 27, 2026 / 1:11 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Two giant pandas from China have arrived in the U.S. as part of an agreement between the Chinese and American governments, the Atlanta zoo confirmed on Sunday.

The zoo said giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Sunday morning "via a dedicated 'FedEx Panda Express' Boeing 777 aircraft."

"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, the zoo's president and CEO, in a statement on social media. "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 visitors will have to wait a while to see Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, officials said. They will be quarantined for about a month in a biosecure area of the wildlife park's new giant panda complex. Park officials haven't confirmed a specific opening date.

While in Washington for a three-day summit with President Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that the pandas would be loaned…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/healthwatch/