Two giant pandas will now call the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute home after a 19-hour flight from China to Washington, D.C.
The flight arrived at Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia at 9:52 a.m. on Tuesday.
Bao Li [bow-lee] and Qing Bao [ching-bow] arrived at the zoo at 11:35 a.m. and were moved into their new home at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat.
“Our team has worked tirelessly to prepare for the pandas’ arrival, and we’re thrilled to welcome Bao Li and Qing Bao to Washington, D.C., the only place you can see giant pandas for free in the nation,” said Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the national zoo. “As a result of our collective efforts, today we joyfully celebrate a new chapter of our 52-year-long giant panda breeding and conservation program.”
The giant pandas will make their public debut on Jan. 24, 2025.
Per standard procedure, the pandas will be quarantined in the panda house for a minimum of 30 days to reduce the risk of introducing parasites or disease to other animals.
In the meantime, the zoo is working to ramp up operations during what is, traditionally, an off-peak visitation period.
From Jan. 29 to Feb. 9, the zoo will host a public celebration with a series of special events and programs, including a Lunar New Year event. No reservations are required for the public celebration.
The zoo will share a short-from digital series called “Prepping for Pandas” on its social media channels and website bringing viewers behind the scenes as the bear pair prepares for their public debut.
The zoo will relaunch the Giant Panda Cam with 40 cameras on Jan. 24. The webcams will be live from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Always free of charge, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s 163-acre park in the heart of Washington features 2,200 animals representing 400 species.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo links
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Crystal Graham
