National Zoo to Welcome New Pandas, Ending 11-Month Drought

pair of three-year old giant pandas

The National Zoo is set to end its prolonged panda drought with the arrival of two new giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, following an 11-month hiatus after sending back its beloved pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub Xiao Qi Ji to China.

The pair of three-year-olds has departed from a research facility in Dujiangyan, China, and will soon be en route to Washington, as announced by the China Wildlife Conservation Association. Their travel provisions include corn bread, bamboo, carrots, water, and medicine.

While the exact arrival date remains uncertain, the pandas will undergo a period of quarantine and acclimation before being introduced to the public. On Monday, the zoo’s website indicated a temporary closure without revealing specifics, although it reassured visitors that the pandas are expected to arrive by year’s end.

Bao Li, meaning "precious vigor," and Qing Bao, translating to "green treasure," come as part of a new 10-year agreement with Chinese authorities. The previous contract expired last year, raising concerns among panda enthusiasts about the future of panda exchanges amid increasing diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and China. Other U.S. zoos, including those in Memphis, San Diego, and Atlanta, have already sent their pandas back to China.

The situation shifted last November when Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed a commitment to continuing the panda exchange program. Following this, the San Diego Zoo received a new pair of pandas, and San Francisco has been promised another pair.

Although National Zoo officials have remained quiet about negotiations, they have expressed hope for a new agreement and have even initiated a multimillion-dollar renovation of the panda enclosure. In May, zoo director Brandie Smith, alongside First Lady Jill Biden, announced the impending arrival of the two pandas.

To facilitate the bears’ transport, the National Zoo sent a team of experienced keepers and veterinary experts to China. While zoo representatives declined to confirm details, the excitement around the pandas’ return is palpable, with panda-themed merchandise dominating gift shops.

Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of Destination DC, emphasized the cultural significance of the giant pandas, noting that their return will boost interest and tourism in Washington, D.C.

Under previous agreements, the Chinese government has received $1 million per year for each bear, and any cubs born abroad typically return to China by age four. Pandas have long been a symbol of the nation’s capital, dating back to 1972, when the first pair, Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing, arrived as a diplomatic gift following President Nixon's visit to China.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, highlighted the cooperative efforts that have led to advancements in panda preservation and breeding. The new agreement aims to focus on disease prevention, habitat protection, and the conservation of wild giant panda populations, with hopes that the pandas' arrival will strengthen exchanges between the U.S. and China, contributing positively to their overall bilateral relationship.

National Zoo to Welcome New Pandas, Ending 11-Month Drought