Giant Pandas on the Way to National Zoo
Two giant pandas are on their way back to the Smithsonian National Zoo. They will arrive in D.C. sometime on Tuesday.
The zoo announced late Monday via social media that it and the bike path are closed on Tuesday, but did not say specifically when the pandas would arrive.
Two-year-old male giant panda Bao Li in his habitat at Shenshuping Base in Wolong, China, on May 16.
(Photo: Roshan Patel/National Zoo)
The zoo’s pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, returned to China last November. But now we are getting our cuddly mascots back.
Two three-year-old giant pandas named Bao Li (BOW-lee) and Qing Bao (ching-BOW) have begun their journey to the National Zoo from the giant panda research base in Dujiangyan, China, according to a statement from the China Wildlife Conservation Association. They are traveling on the Panda Express, a FedEx Boeing 777.
Bao Li, a male, was born on Aug. 4, 2021, and Qing Bao, a female, was born on Sept. 12, 2021. Bao Li’s mother is Bao Bao, who was born at the National Zoo in 2013 and returned to China a few years later. His grandparents, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, lived at the zoo from 2000-2023.
Pandas first came to D.C. in 1972.
New 10-year agreement reached
The CWCA and National Zoo signed an International Conservation Cooperation and Research Agreement on Giant Pandas in April, but a date for their arrival wasn’t announced at the time.
A zoo spokesperson declined comment. “For the safety of animals and staff, we are not able to confirm any details at this time,” Jennifer Zoon told DC on Heels in an email Monday afternoon.
The duo will be on loan to the Smithsonian for a decade, with a yearly fee of $1 million that will be used to support Chinese panda conservation efforts.
Public will have to wait until at least December
The two giant pandas were quarantined and given physical examinations before they left. They are traveling with Chinese handlers, along with prepared food, water and medicines such as steamed corn bread, bamboo shoots and carrots. The National Zoo said in May that the two would be quarantined for at least 30 days in the Panda House then have a few more weeks to settle into their habitat before going on public view.
That means the earliest we could see them is December. The zoo said the Giant Panda Cam, which has been offline since November, will not be turned back on until the pandas go on public display.
Two-year-old female giant panda Qing Bao in her habitat at Dujiangyan Base in Sichuan, China on May 17.
(Photo: Roshan Patel/National Zoo)
The CWCA said three experienced keepers and veterinary experts from the zoo traveled to Sichuan in advance to help care for the giant pandas and escort them back to D.C.
Panda habitat gets $1 million renovation
A $1 million renovation to the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat began last November. Last renovated in 2006, the indoor and outdoor habitats were updated to enhance the safety of the facilities and maximize space for the bears to roam, according to the zoo. New, permanent furnishings will encourage the pandas to use their natural behaviors to explore, exercise, forage, play and rest. Enhancements include new rock structures with shallow pools, bamboo stands for foraging, multi-level climbing structures and items to stimulate pandas’ physical and cognitive skills.
The zoo also established an experienced breeding and management team and formulated a breeding and management system along with technical specifications, according to CWCA.
As with previous agreements, any cub born at the zoo must be returned to China within 4 years.
