Two 3-year-old giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, are on their way to the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where they will spend the next decade. The male and female cubs are the latest arrivals under a long-standing conservation partnership between China and the United States, which has brought pandas to the U.S. capital since 1972. The pair will undergo a minimum 30-day quarantine before making their eagerly awaited public debut.
This marks a new chapter following the departure of adult pandas Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, along with their son Xiao Qi Ji, who returned to China last year. Bao Li and Qing Bao are expected to carry forward the legacy of panda conservation at the zoo, which will pay an estimated $1 million annually to host them.
The partnership dates back to 1972 when China gifted two pandas as a diplomatic gesture after President Richard Nixon’s historic visit. Since 1984, however, China has shifted to leasing pandas to foreign zoos, with around 60 pandas currently residing in approximately 20 countries, including the United States.
As Washington prepares to welcome its newest residents, Bao Li and Qing Bao’s arrival not only underscores a significant cultural exchange but also bolsters efforts in panda conservation. The Smithsonian National Zoo remains a key player in global efforts to protect this beloved species, and the public eagerly anticipates the opportunity to meet its newest panda ambassadors.
Source: Smithsonian National Zoo