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Here’s why Zoo Atlanta is the only place in the U.S. you can visit pandas

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Here’s why Zoo Atlanta is the only place in the U.S. you can visit pandas


ATLANTA — At the beginning of 2024, there will be one place for Americans to see pandas, and it’s right here in Atlanta.

The end of 2023 marks the expiration of a loan agreement between the United States and China regarding relocating pandas to zoos in the U.S.

In 1972, China gifted two pandas to the United States as a symbol of warming relations between the two countries.

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According to TIME, as panda numbers decreased, China began instituting loan agreements with zoos in the U.S., expecting that the animals be returned to China so that they could have an opportunity to be a part of the breeding population.

As loan agreements with many zoos across the country end in December 2023, Zoo Atlanta has negotiated the extension of their contract regarding panda twins Ya Lun and Xi Lun.

Per the loan agreement for adult pandas Lun Lun and Yang Yang, it has always been expected that the twins would travel to China when they were of age. However, due to the pandemic, the twins never traveled to China.

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Now over six years old, Ya Lun and Xi Lun will remain in Zoo Atlanta until early 2024. During this time, zoo staff and officials with the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding will work together to ensure a smooth transition.

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Zoo Atlanta has returned pandas to China in the past. Ya Lun and Xi Lun’s older siblings, Mei Lan, Xi Lan, Po and twins Mei Lun and Mei Huan, were all under the age of five when they made the journey.

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“Zoo Atlanta is committed to the long-term stewardship of giant pandas and to the continuation of its valued partnership and collaboration with the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens,” zoo officials said. “This partnership, which dates to the mid-1990s, continues to be very collaborative and productive in terms of research in areas such as giant panda behavior, biology, and maternal care – all of which have enhanced the global body of knowledge about this species, improved the care of giant pandas in zoological settings, and have supported the pandas’ wild counterparts in China.”

It is unclear how long the pandas will remain at Zoo Atlanta.

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Atlanta, GA

Frankie Mulinix brings Butoh dance to Atlanta

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Frankie Mulinix brings Butoh dance to Atlanta


Atlanta’s dance scene is vibrant and eclectic, and we are honored to highlight some of the many local dancers who move us with their movements in our ongoing series “Speaking of Dance.”

This edition highlights Atlanta performer, Frankie Mulinix, the founder and artistic director of Burning Bones Physical Theatre. She specializes in the evocative Butoh, a 1950s-era Japanese dance-theater art form that blends German expressionism, mime, and European philosophy to explore taboo subjects through dance.

For Mulinix, discovering Butoh during her undergraduate studies was transformative. “My body said, this is home,” she shared.

As an artist-in-residence at Windmill Arts, Mulinix is dedicated to building Atlanta’s Butoh community from the ground up, educating audiences about its history and global significance. Her work aims to transform emotion into experience, creating visceral performances that resonate deeply with performers and audiences alike.

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Burning Bones Physical Theatre has an exciting 2025 season planned, with more information at Frankie Mulinix’s website here.



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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta visits Chicago after Young's 43-point game

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Atlanta visits Chicago after Young's 43-point game


Atlanta Hawks (20-19, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (18-22, 10th in the Eastern Conference)

Chicago; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bulls -2; over/under is 245

BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta visits the Chicago Bulls after Trae Young scored 43 points in the Hawks’ 122-117 win against the Phoenix Suns.

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The Bulls are 15-13 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago is 10-13 in games decided by at least 10 points.

The Hawks are 13-7 against Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta is eighth in the league scoring 17.2 fast break points per game. Jalen Johnson leads the Hawks averaging 3.6.

The Bulls average 118.1 points per game, 1.7 fewer points than the 119.8 the Hawks give up. The Hawks average 13.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 fewer makes per game than the Bulls allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Nikola Vucevic is averaging 20.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Bulls.

Johnson is scoring 19.8 points per game and averaging 10.1 rebounds for the Hawks.

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LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 5-5, averaging 120.7 points, 48.1 rebounds, 30.8 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.8 points per game.

Hawks: 6-4, averaging 120.2 points, 42.5 rebounds, 29.8 assists, 11.1 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.4 points.

INJURIES: Bulls: Adama Sanogo: day to day (knee), Torrey Craig: day to day (leg), Ayo Dosunmu: day to day (achilles).

Hawks: Kobe Bufkin: out for season (shoulder), Larry Nance Jr.: out (hand), Jalen Johnson: day to day (shoulder), Cody Zeller: day to day (personal), De’Andre Hunter: day to day (foot).

___

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.



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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta's Arctic air impact: Uncertainty looms over MLK weekend forecast

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Atlanta's Arctic air impact: Uncertainty looms over MLK weekend forecast


Residents across Georgia can expect a mix of rain, cold, and the possibility of snowflakes in the coming days as winter weather patterns continue to shift. 

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What we know:

According to FOX 5 Storm Team Chief Meteorologist David Chandley, widespread rain is forecast for the weekend, with extreme northern areas possibly seeing snowflakes late Sunday into Monday. Significant snow accumulation is not expected.

“Yeah, this go-around into the weekend, really, we’re just going to see some rain across North Georgia,” Chandley stated. He added that next week’s forecast remains uncertain, with Arctic air potentially influencing weather conditions. “We’ve got a whole week to kind of hash that out. All the things can change.”

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The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday will likely be chilly but dry for much of Georgia. “It’s going to be chilly, but it looks like dry conditions for the MLK holiday celebration,” Chandley explained.

In metro Atlanta, Tuesday could bring a slight chance of wintry precipitation as temperatures drop. “January is very active, no doubt about it,” Chandley noted.

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Metro Atlanta forecast

  • Tonight: Partly cloudy, low near 30°F.
  • Wednesday: Sunny, high around 48°F.
  • Thursday: Sunny, breezy, high near 53°F.
  • Friday Night to Saturday: Rain moves in late Friday, with showers likely Saturday. Highs in the mid-50s.
  • Sunday: Mostly cloudy, high near 48°F. A few snowflakes possible in extreme North Georgia late.
  • MLK Day (Monday): Mostly sunny, high near 37°F. A slight chance of rain or snow.

Extreme North Georgia Mountains forecast

  • Tonight: Partly cloudy, low near 20°F.
  • Wednesday: Sunny, high near 42°F.
  • Thursday: Sunny, breezy, high near 46°F.
  • Friday Night to Saturday: Showers likely Friday night into Saturday, high near 49°F.
  • Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, low near 20°F.
  • MLK Day (Monday): Slight chance of snow, mostly sunny, high near 34°F.

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the snow should move out before noon for the swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill. Highs will be in the 20s and lows will be around 12 degrees under mostly cloudy skies.

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Possible snow in Georgia?

What we don’t know:

While the immediate forecast is becoming clearer, there is still uncertainty surrounding next week’s weather patterns. FOX 5 Meteorologist Jonathan Stacey highlighted the potential for snow but emphasized that forecasts remain in flux. “I know many of you are thinking about some snow because you’re hearing about some snow,” Stacey said. “At this point, all we can do is just pay attention and see what’s out there. As we get closer, we’ll look for consistency.”

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Key questions remain:

  • Will Arctic air and other weather systems converge to create snow across Georgia?
  • How might fluctuating temperatures impact the likelihood of wintry precipitation?

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Snow next week?

Timeline:

Here is a look at the timeline of weather for the next week:

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  • Tuesday: Slight chance of wintry precipitation in metro Atlanta as temperatures drop.
  • Friday Night to Saturday: Rain moves into the region.
  • Sunday to Monday: Snowflakes possible in extreme North Georgia; the rest of the state remains chilly with mostly dry conditions.
  • MLK Day: Chilly but dry conditions for holiday celebrations.

What’s next:

Meteorologists will continue monitoring weather models throughout the week. Residents are encouraged to stay updated via trusted local forecasts, including FOX 5, and prepare for any changes in the weather as Arctic air moves closer. “All we can do is just pay attention,” Jonathan Stacey advised, underscoring the importance of staying alert to new developments.

The Source: This article is sourced from original forecasting by the FOX 5 Storm Team.

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