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 Li touched down at Washington Dulles Interational 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 arrival of the pandas 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 unitl 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. However, with the arrival of Bao Li and Qing Bao, there has been an outpour of excitement.

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

According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute , 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.

After the quarantine ends, the bears will settle for a few more weeks until the animal care team feels they are ready to meet visitors. Once they are ready, a public debut date will be announced.

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