By Ruqayyah Taylor
Howard University News Service
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute welcomed two new giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, at the “Meet the Panda” debut on Friday.
This event is just one of many that the zoo will host as a part of its “District of Panda Party,” a multi-day visitor celebration including lots of entertainment, activities and, most importantly, opportunities to see the pandas.
“When everybody comes to see them, they’re going to have a giant smile on their face,” said panda keeper and expert Mariel Lally. “No matter what might be going on in my day, when I see Bao Li and Qing Bao I can’t do anything but smile.”
The pair will be located at their newly renovated habitats on the Asia Trail, among other animals native to Asia, such as sloth bears, red pandas, otters, leopards and fishing cats.
The pandas arrived in the Washington metropolitan area on Oct. 15, 2024, in a special, panda-marked FedEx Express plane.
Since then, zookeepers, veterinarians and nutritionists have worked regularly with both pandas to ensure they were healthy and comfortable in their new home before the debut.
“We’ve been training the pandas to do several behaviors,” said Laurie Thompson, a staff member at the National Zoo. “We’re just getting them used to it right now.”
She said they are closely observing the pandas’ behavioral cues, building trust with them and giving them lots of playtime.
Earlier this month, Bao Li and Qing Bao played outside in the snow, as a substantial amount hit the district.
For a unique virtual visiting experience, the zoo made greater efforts to keep individuals tuned in to the pandas’ lives by upgrading their cameras and relaunching the Giant Panda Cam system.
“Millions of people from around the world can see the giant pandas through the Giant Panda Cam,” said Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars director of the zoo. “They can learn about them, they can fall in love with them and they can want to save them.”
Unlike many zoos nationwide, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is free to the public due to federal funding.
However, nearly 75% of the Giant Panda program’s annual budget comes from visitor, member and donor support.
Two recent donors of the panda conservation program include David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group, and Adrienne Arsht, a philanthropist and businesswoman, who donated $10 million and $2 million, respectively.
The zoo is currently the only one in the country with giant pandas.
In fact, it has an extensive history of hosting different pandas over decades.
Not only are the giant pandas cute, but they are also a significant symbol of international relations between the United States and China.
The first pandas came to the zoo in 1972 as a gift from China following President Richard Nixon’s historic visit.
While many are excited about the pandas’ return, only time will tell how long this pair will stay at the zoo.
Admission to the zoo and its events will remain free with required reserved entry passes that can be accessed on the zoo’s website.
Ruqayyah Taylor is a reporter for HUNewsService.com and covers Ward 3.
