Giant pandas arrive at National Zoo in DC

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — Nearly a year after pandas left National Zoo, staff members and people in D.C. and across the DMV welcomed two giant pandas from China back to the nation’s capital.

Bao Li and Qing Bao touched down at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) Tuesday morning. They flew to the U.S. on board the specially dubbed FedEx Panda Express.

People across the District excitedly awaited the pandas’ arrival since the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute announced in May that they would arrive in D.C. by the end of 2024.

After arriving at IAD, each one was chauffeured to National Zoo in individual FedEx trucks, pulling into the zoo late in the morning.

The pair will be at National Zoo until April 2034, according to NZBI’s new research and breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

青宝 Qing Bao [ching-BOW] is a 3-year-old female giant panda, whose name means “green” and “treasure” in Mandarin Chinese. “Qing” evokes the lush and mountainous habitat of pandas and “Bao,” which means “precious” and “treasure,” reflects how cherished and adored she is.

宝力 Bao Li [BOW-lee] is a 3-year-old male giant panda, whose name means “treasure” and “energetic” in Mandarin Chinese. Put together, “Bao Li” means an active and vital power.

The first pair of pandas arrived in D.C. in 1972 after the China Wildlife and Conservation Association and the U.S. agreed to work toward preventing the species’ extinction. Since then, pandas have been one of the biggest attractions at the zoo, attracting around 1.9 million visitors annually.

Panda lovers nationwide were full of sadness after giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji departed for China in November of 2023.

“They’re such icons here. They bring so much joy to the community. It was a sad 11 months,” Kirstein Svane, also known as “DC Panda Girl,” said.

However, with the arrival of Bao Li and Qing Bao, there has been an outpour of excitement.

“I’m excited for both of them, but I’m especially excited to see Bao Li because that’s a descendant of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, our former pandas; they’re the grandparents. So I’m really excited to see if they have some of his personality quirks,” Svane said.

Many businesses decorated to welcome the bears, expressing their enthusiasm over anticipated boosts in tourism.

“It’s really something that, you know, revitalizes not just Woodley and Cleveland Park and the National Zoo, but really is a lightning bolt for the entire city,” said Daniel Kramer, managing partner at British restaurant, Duke’s Counter.

So, when will the public be able to see the pandas?

SNZCBI said the two bears will be quarantined in the panda house for a minimum of 30 days per standard procedure. Quarantine of new animals is a routine practice in accredited zoos to reduce the risk of introducing diseases or parasites to other animals.

During the quarantine, the pandas will have access to enclosures inside the panda house, and animal care staff will provide enrichment and care as they adjust to their new home.

The pandas will make their public debut early next year, on Jan. 24, with a special viewing period for National Zoo members from Jan. 10 to Jan. 19, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (SNZCBI). Reservations will be required to view the pandas during the preview period.

A week-long public celebration will follow their big debut from Jan. 29 to Feb. 9.

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