A new pair of giant pandas are set to become panda diplomats as they make their way to the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington from China. The pandas, named Bao Li and Qing Bao, both aged three, began their journey from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Dujiangyan. They are expected to arrive in the United States on Tuesday via a Fedex Boeing 777 cargo jet affectionately called the “Panda Express.” A video from CNN showed the pandas in crates being loaded onto a truck for their trip.
To ensure the pandas are comfortable during their 19-hour, 7,631-mile trip, caretakers have packed essentials such as water, medicines, and snacks like steamed corn bread, bamboo shoots, and carrots. Before their departure from China, the bears underwent physical examinations and quarantine measures. The United States sent three experienced keepers and veterinary experts to accompany the pandas on their journey to Washington DC.
Upon arrival, the pandas will undergo a minimum 30-day quarantine period to adapt to their new surroundings and prevent the spread of any diseases. Their new habitat at the National Zoo will feature hammocks, murals, climbing structures, and a stable bamboo supply. The zoo had previously bid farewell to its long-time panda residents, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub Xiao Qi Ji. The absence marked the first time in over 20 years that the panda enclosure was without these beloved animals.
The National Zoo’s panda program aims to breed the two new arrivals. Any offspring produced will return to China by the age of four. The zoo has agreed to pay a $1 million annual fee to the research center in exchange for housing the pandas, who will be on a 10-year loan. The total cost to the zoo for caring for the pandas annually amounts to $2.8 million. Interestingly, the new pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, have lineage ties to former residents of the zoo.
The announcement of the new panda arrivals was made by First Lady Jill Biden in a video message alongside the zoo directors. The pandas’ return to DC was celebrated, with anticipation building among the millions of visitors who annually flock to the zoo in hopes of catching a glimpse of these iconic animals. Panda diplomacy continues to play a significant role in fostering international relations between China and the United States, dating back to 1972 when China first loaned pandas to the US.
The arrival of Bao Li and Qing Bao represents not just a new chapter in panda diplomacy but also a reinvigoration of the National Zoo’s conservation efforts. As these pandas settle into their new home in Washington DC, they will undoubtedly captivate visitors and continue to symbolize the importance of wildlife conservation and international cooperation.