Ya Lun (2016)

Basic Profile

Ya Lun (Chinese: 雅伦), is a female giant panda born on September 3, 2016 at Zoo Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She was the first of twins born to mother Lun Lun (伦伦, studbook 452) and father Yang Yang (洋洋), arriving at 7:20 AM, followed by her twin sister Xi Lun (喜伦) 47 minutes later at 8:07 AM.

Lun Lun was 19 years old at the time and was artificially inseminated on March 28, 2016. The birth marked the first giant panda born in the US in 2016 and was the second pair of twins for Lun Lun and Yang Yang.

Life at Zoo Atlanta

Ya Lun and Xi Lun made their public debut in December 2016 or January 2017, following the Chinese tradition of naming on their 100th day (December 12, 2016). They were the sixth and seventh offspring of Lun Lun and Yang Yang.

Ya Lun’s older siblings included:

• Mei Lan (美兰, male, born 2006)
• Xi Lan (喜兰, male, born 2008)
• Po (宝, female, born 2010)
• Mei Lun (美轮, female, born 2013)
• Mei Huan (美奂, female, born 2013) — Ya Lun’s older twin sisters

At Zoo Atlanta, Ya Lun was known for her playful and gentle nature, quickly becoming a favorite among visitors.

Return to China

In May 2024, Zoo Atlanta announced that its giant panda program would be concluding after 25 years. On October 13, 2024, Ya Lun, along with her twin sister Xi Lun and parents Lun Lun and Yang Yang, departed Atlanta on a dedicated cargo flight. They arrived safely at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, with all four pandas in good health.

The departure marked the end of giant pandas at Zoo Atlanta, which had been home to the species since 1999. Ya Lun now resides at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where she continues to be part of the global conservation breeding program.