When can I see the new giant pandas at the D.C. Smithsonian National Zoo?
The Smithsonian Zoo in D.C., which has been without Giant Pandas since November, will be receiving a new pair of two-years-olds. Here’s when they’ll arrive.
“It is official. We are welcoming Giant Pandas back to our nation’s capital,” announced Brandie Smith, director of the National Zoo, on Wednesday. The adorable creatures had been absent from D.C.’s Smithsonian National Zoo since November when Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji were sent to China.
The new adolescent pair, Bao Li and Qing Bao, will continue the 52-year tradition of ‘panda diplomacy’ between China and the United States. They are expected to arrive later this year.
However, before they can be seen by the public they will have to be quarantined in the panda house for at least 30 days. And then the new giant pandas will be given a few more weeks to settle in before they have their public debut.
While awaiting the new arrivals, the National Zoo has been refurbishing the building and outdoor space of the panda exhibit says the zoo. The Giant Panda Cam, first launched in 2000 had has had over 100 million page views since, is also getting an upgrade.
One of the new giant pandas has family connection with National Zoo
Both of the two-year-old pandas were born at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in Sichuan. The female Qing Bao, whose name means “green” and “treasure” in Mandarin Chinese, currently lives at Dujiangyan Base in Sichuan.
The male Bao Li, whose name means “treasure” and “energetic” in Mandarin Chinese, currently lives at the Shenshuping Base in Wolong. He is a little more than a month older than his soon-to-be partner. Through his family, he has connections with the National Zoo.
His grandparents were the two adult giant pandas that were returned to China in November after spending 23 years in the nation’s capital. Bao Bao, his mother was born at the National Zoo in 2013.
As is the policy with the panda loan program for any cubs born abroad, she was sent to China in 2017 when she was four years old. Bao Li and Qing Bao for their part will be on loan to the National Zoo through April 2034. Typically, the ten-year term gets extended though.