Zoo Atlanta giant pandas going back to China by the end of the year

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.

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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 .

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