Pandas arrive in the US. Next stop is the National Zoo (copy)
WASHINGTON — The National Zoo’s long panda drought is coming to an end.
After sending its three favorite pandas — Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji — back to China eleven months ago, the zoo welcomed a new pair of bears on Tuesday. The two three-year-old giant pandas, named Bao Li and Qing Bao, traveled from a research facility in Dujiangyan, China, to Washington, as announced by the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
For their journey, food prepared included corn bread, bamboo, and carrots, along with essentials like water and medication. The partnership aims to advance global biodiversity protection and strengthen the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
Prior to meeting the public, Bao Li and Qing Bao will undergo an extended quarantine and acclimation period. On the eve of their arrival, the zoo announced that it would be closed on Tuesday for undisclosed reasons.
Named Bao Li, which translates to “precious vigor,” and Qing Bao, meaning “green treasure,” these pandas arrive in Washington as part of a new 10-year agreement with Chinese authorities. The previous deal expired last year, raising concerns among panda enthusiasts that China might be withdrawing its beloved panda ambassadors in light of increasing diplomatic tensions.
Breeding pairs from zoos in Memphis and San Diego had already returned to China, while the four pandas in the Atlanta zoo left last week.
The anxieties began to shift towards optimism last November when Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed a commitment to maintain the panda exchange programs. This year, a new pair of pandas was sent to the San Diego Zoo, and another pair has been promised for San Francisco.
At the National Zoo, officials have remained somewhat reserved about the details of the new panda agreement, while expressing hope for a successful arrangement. In anticipation of the pandas’ arrival, a multimillion-dollar renovation of the panda enclosure was launched.
In late May, zoo director Brandie Smith, alongside first lady Jill Biden, announced the expected arrival of Bao Li and Qing Bao by the end of this year.
According to the Chinese statement, the National Zoo sent “three experienced keepers and veterinary experts” to assist in the transfer and accompany the bears. However, zoo officials were unable to confirm the announcement, prioritizing the safety of the animals and staff.
Signs at the zoo and mentions on social media hinted at the imminent return of the pandas, while panda-themed merchandise continues to dominate the gift shops.
“The giant pandas are an iconic part of the Washington, D.C., narrative, both for locals and tourists,” stated Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC. “The excitement surrounding their return directly benefits the entire city, increasing interest and visitors to our hotels, restaurants, and other attractions.”
The exact terms of the agreement have not been disclosed; however, it is known that in past agreements the Chinese government received $1 million annually for each bear. Typically, any cubs born in overseas zoos are returned to China before they turn four.
Pandas have been an unofficial symbol of Washington, D.C., since 1972 when the first pair — Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing — was gifted by Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai after President Richard Nixon’s groundbreaking visit to China. Subsequent 10-year cooperation agreements have followed over the years.
Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, credited the long-standing cooperation with significant advancements in research related to panda preservation and breeding. Throughout the course of these agreements, giant pandas have been reclassified from endangered to vulnerable.
The new phase of cooperation will focus on preventing and treating major diseases and protecting the habitats and wild populations of giant pandas. Liu remarked, “We hope the arrival of the pandas will inject fresh momentum into exchanges between China and the U.S., and contribute positively to stabilizing the broader bilateral relationship.”
