Giant pandas Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun and Xi Lun have left Atlanta to return to China.

For 25 years, Zoo Atlanta and China have had a giant panda agreement, but that is set to expire at the end of this month, prompting the pandas to pack their bamboo to return home. 

Zoo Atlanta received Lun Lun and Yang Yang from the Chengdu Research base of Giant Panda Breeding in 1999. They were originally signed for a 10 year loan, then in 2009 Zoo Atlanta launched a fundraiser to extend the loan and successfully kept the pandas for another 15 years. 

“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, leaving 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,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO in a Zoo Atlanta press release. “It has been our privilege to be able to share this remarkable family with our Members and guests for 25 years.” 

Zoo Atlanta first received Lun Lun and Yang Yang on loan from China in 1999. Since then, seven pandas have been born: Mei Lan (2006), Xi Lan (2008), Po (2010) and two sets of twin cubs named Mei Lun and Mei Huan (2013) and Ya Lun and Xi Lun (2016). These cubs reside at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where they are now parents themselves.