Farewell to Pandas at Zoo Atlanta after a Quarter-Century Long Stay
The departure of the panda from Zoo Atlanta is a mixed emotion experience. Since 1999, they've been a iconic part of the zoo and the city, with their images gracing billboards across Atlanta and the zoo's live panda cam being a beloved local favorite.
Pandas are scarcely found in American zoos. Prior to the arrival of two bears in San Diego last June, the Atlanta pandas were the only ones in the United States. They served as charming ambassadors for their species, drawing in millions of visitors and educating them about the challenges pandas face in the wild.
Dr. Sam Rivera, Vice President of Animal Health at Zoo Atlanta, who has worked with the pandas since their arrival 25 years ago, acknowledges that saying goodbye will be tough. But the exchange of pandas between China and international zoos, like Zoo Atlanta, is a vital part of supporting this endangered species. By allowing pandas to be studied at various zoological facilities, scientists can conduct research in diverse settings, gaining insights that might be overlooked in the bears' native habitat. It also encourages collaborations with non-zoological educational and research institutions. International partnerships have helped scientists better understand panda biology, behavior, and environmental challenges.
Key achievements
Zoo Atlanta celebrated several milestones with the pandas over the past 25 years. In 2016, Lun Lun and Yang Yang gave birth to Ya Lun and Xi Lun, their second set of twins – making Zoo Atlanta the first US institution to raise two sets of twin pandas. The success of IVF births was a highlight among many major advancements in panda reproduction at the zoo. Dr. Rivera says the zoo is proud of its achievements in panda reproduction and pregnancy monitoring. Other notable achievements include significant strides in understanding giant panda maternal behavior and, working alongside partners at Georgia Tech, determining that giant pandas have color vision comparable to other bears.
Another advantage of pandas in zoos outside of China is the access they provide the public. Seeing pandas up close is a unique opportunity to learn about the endangered species while also raising crucial funds to support research. Zoo Atlanta reports that they have generated over $17 million for the conservation of giant pandas in China. Most of those funds have been used to support eight different Chinese nature reserves.
And it's working. The once-endangered species is recovering. According to the World Wildlife Fund, there were about a thousand pandas in the wild in the 1980's. As of 2016, the giant panda has been removed from the endangered species list. Giant Panda populations have increased 17% in the last decade.
Why are giant pandas important?
Although they are no longer endangered, pandas are still at risk. Zoo Atlanta reports that the total number of giant pandas is still low for maintaining a viable population. The challenges pandas face is primarily due to habitat loss, and currently only 61% of China's panda population is protected by government reserves. Their natural environments are small and fragmented, which prevents them from mixing and breeding, and limits suitable denning areas for mothers. And when pandas struggle, other animals struggle too. Their habitats, the bamboo forests of China, are also home to many other species. Pandas play a crucial role in their environment, spreading seeds over the landscape and contributing to the health and diversity of the forest. By protecting pandas, we help conserve these valuable ecosystems.
"Panda-Palooza"
And if you want to bid farewell to the Zoo Atlanta pandas, the zoo will do so in style with a "Panda-Palooza" event on October 5, 2024. Check out zooatlanta.org for details.
As Zoo Atlanta bids farewell to its pandas this fall, the arrival of new pandas at the San Diego Zoo and the Smithsonian National Zoo marks an ongoing commitment to saving these extraordinary mammals and reminds us of the vital role we play in protecting, not only the giant panda, but all animals, so they can be celebrated for generations to come.
How to help pandas
If you care about the plight of giant pandas, there are ways to help. Supporting reputable charities dedicated to panda conservation is a direct way to contribute. These groups focus on scientific research, education programs, and habitat preservation.
Zoo Atlanta is involved in field conservation programs locally and around the world, including work in Africa, Asia, Central, and South America. They support funding for other established conservation organizations as well as projects, research, and education programs at their zoo.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international non-profit conservation organization divided into two parts: the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. They develop sustainable conservation solutions through education, wildlife healthcare, and science.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been involved in giant panda conservation for decades, working on habitat preservation and policy advocacy.
Pandas International is an organization specifically focused on the preservation and propagation of the giant panda, supporting breeding centers and research in China.
You can also make an impact by visiting other reputable zoos and supporting their research, and by spreading the word about conservation. Sharing information, supporting panda-focused initiatives, and being a steward of the environment all help the cause.
You can donate to help giant pandas using this link or by clicking below.
During their time at Zoo Atlanta, "us" as visitors had the unique opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures up close. Additionally, the funds generated by "us" visits to the zoo have significantly contributed to the conservation efforts for giant pandas in China.
