Panda Drought Ends: National Zoo Prepares to Welcome New Bears

The U.S.’s National Zoo’s wait for giant pandas is finally coming to an end.
After sending its beloved trio—Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub Xiao Qi Ji—back to China 11 months ago, the zoo is set to receive a new pair of pandas.
The two three-year-old giant pandas, named Bao Li and Qing Bao, departed from a research facility in Dujiangyan, China, before being transported to Washington D.C.
They arrived at Dulles International Airport on Tuesday, according to a statement from the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
“Food prepared for the trip includes cornbread, bamboo, and carrots, along with water and medicine,” the statement said, emphasizing that the partnership aims to enhance global biodiversity and foster friendship between the two nations.
While the exact timeline for their arrival at the zoo remains unclear, the pandas are expected to undergo an extensive quarantine and acclimation period before being introduced to the public.
The new pandas arrive as part of a renewed 10-year agreement with Chinese authorities, following the expiration of the previous deal last year.
The lapse had raised concerns among panda enthusiasts that Beijing might be withdrawing its beloved ‘diplomatic gifts’ amid increasing diplomatic tensions.
In recent months, breeding pairs at Memphis and San Diego zoos have already returned to China, and four pandas from the Atlanta Zoo left for their home country last week.
However, optimism grew in November when Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed a commitment to continue panda exchange programs.
This year, San Diego Zoo welcomed a new pair of pandas, and another pair has been promised to San Francisco Zoo.
While National Zoo officials have not publicly confirmed the details of the new agreement, they have expressed hope for a successful negotiation.
A multimillion-dollar renovation of the panda enclosure has been underway in anticipation of the bears’ return.
In late May, zoo director Brandie Smith, alongside first lady Jill Biden, announced the expected arrival of Bao Li and Qing Bao by the end of 2024.
According to the Chinese announcement, the National Zoo dispatched three experienced keepers and veterinary experts to assist with the bears’ transport.
Spokeswoman Jennifer Zoon said: “For the safety of animals and staff, we are not able to confirm any details at this time.”
Nevertheless, signs and promotions related to the pandas have been prominent around the zoo, with panda-themed merchandise a major draw in gift shops.
“The giant pandas are an iconic part of the Washington, D.C., story, both for locals and visitors,” said Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of Destination DC. “The excitement surrounding their return will positively impact the city, driving interest to our hotels, restaurants, and other attractions.”
The specific terms of the new deal have yet to be disclosed; previous agreements typically involved a payment of $1 million per year for each bear.
Any cubs born in overseas zoos are usually returned to China before they become four years old.
Pandas have long been symbolic of China’s status, with their use as a diplomatic tool with America dating back to 1972 when the first pandas Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing, were gifted by Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai following President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China. This initiated a series of cooperation agreements that have lasted for decades.
Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, credited these agreements with advancing research in panda conservation. Giant pandas were once classified as an endangered species, however today scientists regard them as being vulnerable.
“The current round of cooperation will focus on disease prevention, treatment, and the protection of habitats and wild panda populations,” Liu said in an email. “We hope the arrival of the pandas will invigorate exchanges between China and the U.S. and contribute to stabilizing the broader bilateral relationship.”
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press