Washington’s latest power couple, Bao Li and Qing Bao, are now residents of the National Zoo. These giant pandas will stay out of the public eye until early next year, as the zoo prepares to reveal its newly renovated panda house.
The public will have to wait a bit before seeing them. The pandas will spend several weeks in quarantine and undergo medical checks as they adjust to their new surroundings. Alongside the zoo’s caretakers and panda specialists, a keeper and veterinarian from China have also traveled with the pandas and will remain in Washington for about a month.
The zoo has planned the public debut of these pandas on Friday, January 24, 2025. A celebration is scheduled from January 29 to February 9. Zoo members can book tickets for a preview between January 10 and January 19.
Two giant pandas from China have arrived in Washington D.C. and were transferred to their new home at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Bao Li and Qing Boa will make their debut in January 2025. @DavidMuir reports. https://t.co/mBuqgKcsbc pic.twitter.com/cxyzQHrZVz
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) October 16, 2024
Currently, Bao Li and Qing Bao are not interacting, which is intentional. They met for the first time during their journey from China and are being kept separate at the zoo. This aligns with their natural solitary behaviour in the wild, where adult pandas generally live alone and only come together for breeding during a brief annual period. The zoo’s panda enclosure facilitates this solitary lifestyle, allowing the pandas to live separately. Panda mothers and cubs typically stay together for about two years before parting ways.
Pandas are strict herbivores, primarily consuming bamboo. They also eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Without sufficient bamboo, pandas can fall ill rapidly. The zoo sources bamboo from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and about 15 other locations in the Washington, D.C. area. The zoo does not accept bamboo donations from private individuals.
Bao Li and Qing Bao are still about two years from reaching sexual maturity. While selected for genetic compatibility, pandas are known to be particular about mating. The zoo staff, experienced in artificial insemination, successfully used the procedure to produce Xiao Qi Ji in 2020.
Bao Li comes from a line of pandas previously housed at the National Zoo. His grandparents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, returned to China last year with his young uncle Xiao Qi Ji. His mother, Bao Bao, born at the National Zoo in 2013, moved to China in 2017. Bao Bao gave birth to Bao Li and his twin brother Bao Yuan in August 2021 in China.
The popular Panda Cam will resume on January 24, featuring 40 cameras following the pandas’ movements. The livestream will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with replays overnight. The zoo has enhanced its electronic infrastructure to handle the expected surge in online viewers, as the Smithsonian’s servers were overwhelmed when Xiao Qi Ji was born on camera in 2020.
The zoo’s director, Brandie Smith, mentioned that they considered starting the cam before the public debut but decided to allow the pandas and keepers extra time to bond without an audience.
The National Zoo has a 10-year agreement with the Chinese government, paying $500,000 annually per panda. Cubs born at the zoo incur an additional fee and are sent to China before turning four to participate in conservation and breeding programs.
Over the past 11 months, the zoo has made significant upgrades since Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji returned to China. The outdoor panda enclosure has new fences and a wooden climbing feature. Indoors, the zoo undertook a multi-million dollar renovation to prepare for the return of giant pandas to Washington, D.C.
What Other Media Are Saying
- ABC7NY reports on Bao Li and Qing Bao’s arrival at DC’s National Zoo after a FedEx flight, highlighting their family ties and unique personalities amidst conservation efforts and public anticipation.(read more)
- National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute celebrates the arrival of giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao, highlighting collaborative conservation efforts and the pandas’ public debut in January 2025.(read more)
- NBC Washington reports on the arrival of 3-year-old giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao at the National Zoo in DC, highlighting their acclimation period and D.C. roots, marking a return to the zoo after a year.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
When can the public see Bao Li and Qing Bao?
The public debut is on January 24, 2025.
Why are Bao Li and Qing Bao kept separate?
They are solitary animals, naturally living alone except for breeding.
What do Bao Li and Qing Bao eat?
They primarily consume bamboo, along with various fruits and vegetables.
Can I donate bamboo to the zoo for the pandas?
No, the zoo sources bamboo from specific locations and does not accept private donations.
Will there be a live stream of the pandas?
Yes, the Panda Cam will resume on January 24, operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.