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FedEx ‘Panda Express’ Makes Round Trip
[ November 1, 2024 // Gary G Burrows ]FedEx Corp. recently transported six giant pandas between Atlanta and Chengdu, China, aboard a FedEx Boeing 777-F, dubbed the “FedEx Panda Express.”
Four giant pandas departed Hartsield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, on Oct. 12, and arrived at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding on Oct. 13. The four China-bound pandas are 27-year-old female Lun Lun and 27-year-old male Yang Yang, who have resided at Zoo Atlanta since 1999, and their twin female offspring, Ya Lun and Xi Lun, born at Zoo Atlanta in 2016.
On the return flight, the FedEx Panda Express departed CTU with two pandas on Oct. 14 and arriving at Dulles International Airport on Oct. 15, and were then trucked to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, or NZCBI in Washington, D.C. The two pandas aboard were two-year-old male Bao Li and two-year-old female Qing Bao. Bao Li is the grandcub of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, whom FedEx transported to China, along with their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, in November 2023.
For more than two decades, FedEx has worked with the Chinese government and zoos around the world to safely transport giant pandas to and from China. FedEx donated the transportation cost as part of its ongoing corporate social responsibility and environmental conservation efforts.
“Each giant panda move is special, and we’re always honored when selected as the trusted transportation provider,” said Richard W. Smith, COO, International, and CEO, Airline, FedEx. “We have had the privilege of transporting pandas since 2000, but this was our first roundtrip move, delivering the bears to and from China within the same aircraft journey. The safe delivery of Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun to China and Bao Li and Qing Bao to the U.S. demonstrates the company’s commitment to leveraging our extensive global network to connect communities. FedEx is once again proud to deliver this precious cargo.”
Animal care experts from Zoo Atlanta and NZCBI were on board the flights. The animals were the only cargo on both flights, aside from supplies including bamboo, water, and the pandas’ favorite treats.
Before their trips, the animals spent time getting familiar with their enclosures to ensure they were safe and comfortable during their journeys. Upon arrival in Chengdu, Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun were met by their new keepers on the tarmac before moving to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Once they arrived in Washington, D.C., Bao Li and Qing Bao began their quarantine ahead of their public debut in January 2025.
Including these moves, FedEx has transported 21 pandas to and from China. Previous FedEx Panda Express flights include flights from the U.S. to China in 2010, 2017, 2019, and 2023; from China to the U.S. in 2000 and 2003; from China to Scotland in 2011; from China to France in 2012 and from China to Canada in 2013.
Tags: FedEx