ATLANTA — The wait is finally over as two new giant pandas made their highly anticipated public debut at Zoo Atlanta Friday morning, marking the return of the popular animals after the zoo’s previous pair returned to China in 2024.

Ping Ping and Fu Shuang were officially introduced to visitors during a special ceremony at 8 a.m. inside the Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove.

The pandas were born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China and arrived in Atlanta at the end of September following a 16-hour journey.

Since their arrival, the pair have spent time in mandatory quarantine and adjusting to their new surroundings.

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Ping Ping and Fu Shuang will call Zoo Atlanta home for the next decade.

Their new habitat underwent a $6 million renovation, adding larger indoor spaces, climbing structures and pools in each panda dayroom.

The outdoor areas also received new climbing structures, while the overall complex was redesigned to include water features, aquatic plants and a sculpture representing the giant panda’s significance as a symbol of peace and harmony.

The arrival of Ping Ping and Fu Shuang followed the departure of Lun Lun and Yang Yang, who spent 25 years at Zoo Atlanta before returning to China in 2024.

Zoo Atlanta is one of only three zoos in the United States where visitors can see giant pandas in person.