New Giant Pandas Arrive at the National Zoo, Ending Long Hiatus

 

The U.S. National Zoo in Washington, D.C., is set to welcome a new pair of giant pandas, marking the end of an eleven-month absence since the previous trio—Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub Xiao Qi Ji—returned to China. The new pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, both three years old, arrived in Washington on Tuesday after being transported from a research facility in Dujiangyan, China.

Prior to their journey, the China Wildlife Conservation Association prepared special food for the bears, including cornbread, bamboo, and carrots, along with water and medicine. In a statement, the association expressed hope that the new partnership would contribute to global biodiversity efforts and strengthen the friendship between the United States and China.

Once they arrive, Bao Li and Qing Bao will undergo a quarantine and acclimation period before being introduced to the public. The zoo's website announced the closure of the facility on Tuesday, indicating preparations for the pandas’ arrival while still listing a later date for their public debut.

These pandas are part of a new ten-year agreement with Chinese authorities, following the expiration of the previous deal last year. This led to concerns among American panda enthusiasts about a potential reduction in panda exchanges amidst escalating diplomatic tensions. Earlier this year, other American zoos, including those in Memphis and San Diego, also saw their giant pandas return to China.

Optimism returned in November when Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed support for continuing the panda exchange program. Since then, a new pair of pandas has arrived at the San Diego Zoo, with another pair promised for San Francisco.

While National Zoo officials have not publicly confirmed the details of the new agreement, they have initiated a multimillion-dollar renovation of the panda enclosure in anticipation of the bears’ arrival. In late May, zoo director Brandie Smith and First Lady Jill Biden announced the expected arrival of Bao Li and Qing Bao by the year's end.

To facilitate the bears' transport, the National Zoo sent three experienced keepers and veterinary experts to China. Although zoo officials have refrained from confirming the specifics of the announcement, signs around the zoo and on social media have celebrated the impending return of the pandas, with panda-themed merchandise remaining a popular item in the gift shops.

Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of Destination DC, highlighted the significance of the pandas, noting that they attract both local and tourist interest, benefiting the city's economy, including hotels and restaurants.

Details of the new agreement remain unclear, but under previous arrangements, the Chinese government received $1 million annually per bear, with any cubs born in U.S. zoos typically returning to China before reaching four years old.

Giant pandas have been a symbol of Washington, D.C., since 1972, when the first pair, Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing, were gifted by Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai following President Nixon's landmark visit to China. Over the years, a series of cooperation agreements have strengthened panda conservation efforts, with giant pandas now classified as vulnerable rather than endangered.

Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, noted that the long-standing cooperation has advanced research in panda preservation and breeding. The current agreement will emphasize disease prevention and habitat protection for wild giant panda populations. Liu expressed hope that the pandas' arrival would enhance exchanges between the two nations and stabilize broader diplomatic relations.