Pandas Set to Return to Washington, D.C.'s National Zoo
In an exciting development for panda lovers, China has announced plans to send a pair of giant pandas to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., by the end of the year. This news marks the beginning of a new 10-year breeding and research agreement, according to zoo officials.
The new pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, are part of a strategic conservation effort. "We’re thrilled to announce the next chapter of our breeding and conservation partnership begins by welcoming two new bears, including a descendant of our beloved panda family, to Washington, D.C.," said Brandie Smith, the zoo’s director, in a press release. "This historic moment is proof positive our collaboration with Chinese colleagues has made an irrefutable impact. Through this partnership, we have grown the panda population, advanced our shared understanding of how to care for this beloved bear, and learned what’s needed to protect wild pandas and preserve native habitat."
Chinese ambassador Xie Feng is scheduled to speak briefly on Wednesday morning, followed by statements from Smith and other zoo officials.
This announcement comes just months after the National Zoo’s iconic pandas—Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and their youngest cub, Xiao Qi Ji—returned to China, leaving the zoo without its beloved pandas for the first time in decades. Their departure marked the end of a significant chapter in the zoo’s history, but the promise of new pandas brings renewed hope and excitement.
Giant pandas have been a fixture at the National Zoo since the 1970s, becoming unofficial mascots of Washington, D.C. Their images have adorned everything from Metro cards to street signs. The panda conservation program truly flourished with the arrival of Tian Tian and Mei Xiang 20 years ago. Mei Xiang's successful births of four cubs, including the first panda in the U.S. born via artificial insemination with frozen semen, showcased the program's success.
The return of pandas to the National Zoo is more than just a local event; it signifies a continuation of the unique bond between the United States and China, often referred to as "panda diplomacy." Despite the political undertones, Smith emphasized that the negotiations are purely scientific. "We're a bunch of scientists; we're a bunch of animal people," she said. "This is not a political conversation. This is absolutely a conversation between colleagues talking about what’s best for the overall program, and also, what can be best for individual animals."
As panda enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of Bao Li and Qing Bao, the National Zoo prepares to once again be the home of these cherished animals, continuing its legacy of conservation and education.
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Photo: Getty