Nov
08

The end of a beara: Farewell Giant Pandas

All three Giant Pandas are leaving the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China this week. Why now? Pandas have lived and thrived at the Zoo for more than 50 years, since the first Giant Panda arrived as a gift from China during the Nixon administration.

Sidedoor sat down with the director of the Zoo, Brandie Smith, to find out why the pandas are leaving, and whether China plans to send more to the U.S. Is this the end of a beara … we mean era?

Graphic for Sidedoor 10.5 Farewell Giant Pandas

Guests

  • Brandie Smith, John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian’s National  Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
  • Stephen Powers, panda fan

Listen now

Transcript

Farewell Giant Pandas – S10, Ep5

Related posts:

A group of people, some in pale blue Folklife Festival Volunteer T-shirts, pose behind a row of jarred pickled vegetables.Volunteer Opportunities at the 2024 Smithsonian Folklife Festival Soldiers raising American flag, seen in silhouetteAnnouncing the Smithsonian Veterans Council Museum facade lit with colored lightsICYMI: Highlights from the week that was June 2 – June 8, 2019 Graphic for SIdedoor 7.11 Raven and the box of daylightRaven and the Box of Daylight

Posted: 8 November 2023
About the Author:

Jessica Sadeq has worked in the Central Office of Public Affairs since June 2007. She is the Marketing Manager for the Office of Communications and External Affairs.