Giant Pandas debut at the Zoo
Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao’s public debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Jan. 24, generated a bit of local interest.
(Ed. note: If you’re excited by the return of Panda Cam, wait until you hear about the M&Ms.)
Illustration by Jose Soto for The Washington POost/istock.
In a ceremonial opening of the Asia Trail exhibit, Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of NZCBI, welcomed the American public to meet the new bears, declaring the Zoo to be the “District of Panda.”
“For over 50 years, giant pandas have been an integral part of the fabric and culture of Washington, D.C., thanks in large part to the support of the communities that live and work in the District,” Smith said. “Bao Li and Qing Bao have won our hearts, and we’re excited to welcome panda fans back to the Zoo—the only place in the nation where you can see giant pandas for free—and celebrate the newest chapter of our giant panda breeding and conservation program.”
Smith was joined by Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III and Ambassador Xie Feng of the People’s Republic of China, who spoke on the impact of giant pandas as a symbol of global collaboration.
“I am especially honored to share this moment with Ambassador Xie,” Bunch told the crowd. “Conservation science is at the heart of this partnership. For more than five decades, our joint work to understand the habitat, biology, and behavior of these playful creatures has led to breakthroughs in understanding and preserving this species. We have trained more than 1,500 wildlife professionals and students in China. The cooperation between our scientists has increased and stabilized panda populations in human care. And vitally, it has provided valuable insights into how to protect not just giant pandas, but all wildlife who share their habitat,“ Bunch concluded.
Get your merch on
Panda fans nationwide can support NZCBI’s giant panda conservation program by purchasing limited-edition bags of giant panda-themed M&M’S on MMS.com and on-site at the Zoo, at Smithsonian museum stores and at the Smithsonian Store at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. For every limited-edition panda pack sold on MMS.com, Mars will donate $5 to NZCBI’s giant panda conservation program. Through purchase of these limited-edition M&M’S, fans can directly contribute to the NZCBI’s research and habitat protection efforts for one of the world’s most beloved and iconic animals. The $14.99 10 oz. sharing-size bags include candies featuring a panda figure and a pawprint, showcasing the giant panda’s pseudo-thumb used to grasp bamboo. The packaging features a fun fact about giant pandas and a QR code that connects fans to NZCBI’s website, where they can learn more about this species.
Panda Cam is back on the air!
The Zoo has relaunched the Giant Panda Cam, sponsored by The Boeing Company, ensuring virtual visitors could join in the celebration and welcome the animal ambassadors to Washington. The Giant Panda Cam is composed of 40 cameras operated from a central system by a corps of specially trained volunteers. The webcams broadcast from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. After 7 p.m., the day’s recording is rebroadcast to ensure virtual visitors around the world can view the animals at their most active.
District of Panda Party
From Jan. 24 to Feb. 9, the Zoo will host the District of Panda Party, a public celebration with special events and programs, including a Lunar New Year event. It is made possible with the support of Boeing, FedEx, Pepco and Events DC.
During the District of Panda Party, visitors can celebrate on-site at the Zoo with free and family-friendly entertainment, including film screenings of Kung Fu Panda in the Visitor Center Theater and cultural activities provided courtesy of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. Details on the events are available on the Zoo’s website and will continue to be updated as the event approaches.
Panda fans can celebrate the bears’ connection to the nation’s capital and make a direct impact on panda conservation via a collection of limited-edition “The Pandas Are Here” merchandise commemorating Bao Li and Qing Bao’s debut available online and on-site at the Zoo.
Admission to the Zoo is free. Free entry passes and paid parking passes should be reserved through the Zoo’s website. Guests of all ages must have their own free entry pass. To see the giant pandas at the Zoo, visitors should be prepared to stand in line and enter via the Asia Trail entrance across from the Zoo’s Visitor Center. A limited number of same-day passes may be offered at Zoo entrances for visitors without access to the Zoo’s website.
Can’t get enough?
To follow the latest news about NZCBI’s panda program, visit the Zoo’s website, subscribe to its e-newsletter, and follow on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X using the hashtag #DCPandas.
Learn more about:
Media
From cubs to first ladies, a history of pandas at the National Zoo in D.C. – The Washington Post
Pandas are back at the National Zoo: Say hello to Bao Li and Qing Bao – The Washington Post
The Pandas Take Washington | The New Yorker
Everything you need to know about visiting pandas at the National Zoo – The Washington Post
Posted: 27 January 2025
