The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) announced on May 29 that it will welcome a new pair of giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, to the Zoo by the end of the year. Giant pandas have long been iconic figures in Washington, D.C., and are beloved worldwide. For over five decades, NZCBI has led one of the world’s foremost giant panda conservation programs, successfully contributing to the reclassification of the species from “endangered” to “vulnerable.”
“We’re thrilled to announce the next chapter of our breeding and conservation partnership begins by welcoming two new bears, including a descendent of our beloved panda family, to Washington, D.C.,” said Brandie Smith, NZCBI’s John and Adrienne Mars Director. “This historic moment is proof positive our collaboration with Chinese colleagues has made an irrefutable impact. Through this partnership, we have grown the panda population, advanced our shared understanding of how to care for this beloved bear and learned what’s needed to protect wild pandas and preserve native habitat.”
In a video announcement released on NZCBI’s social media channels, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden joined Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III and Smith to reveal the pandas’ impending arrival. This news comes just six months after the departure of giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, to China, which prompted a nationwide outpouring of farewell from millions of panda fans.
The two new giant pandas, both two years old, have distinct and notable lineages. Bao Li, a male whose name means “treasure” and “energetic” in Mandarin Chinese, was born on August 4, 2021, at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in Sichuan to parents An An and Bao Bao. Bao Li’s mother, Bao Bao, was born at NZCBI in 2013, and his grandparents, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, resided at NZCBI from 2000 to 2023. Qing Bao, a female whose name means “green” and “treasure” in Mandarin Chinese, was born on September 12, 2021, at CCRCGP, to parents Qing Qing and Jia Mei. Bao Li currently resides at the Shenshuping Base in Wolong, while Qing Bao is at the Dujiangyan Base in Sichuan.
FedEx will serve as the Zoo’s transportation partner, using their integrated air and ground network to provide a dedicated flight and ground transportation for the bears and their animal care team from China to Washington, D.C.
“We look forward to once again calling the FedEx Panda Express into service and using our logistical expertise to safely move Qing Bao and Bao Li to Washington, D.C.,” said Richard W. Smith, president and chief executive officer, Airline and International, FedEx. “It’s a privilege to take part in this next phase of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s giant panda program and provide the safest and most comfortable transportation for these beloved animals.”
Upon their arrival at NZCBI, the pandas will undergo a mandatory minimum 30-day quarantine in the panda house, a standard practice in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to reduce the risk of introducing parasites or disease. During quarantine, the pandas will have access to indoor enclosures, and a team of keepers, nutritionists, and veterinarians will care for them. Enrichment items will be provided to keep them active and help them adjust to their new environment. After quarantine, the pandas will spend a few more weeks settling into their habitat before making their public debut.
The arrival of Bao Li and Qing Bao marks the beginning of a new cooperative research and breeding agreement between NZCBI and the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), effective through April 2034. This agreement includes collaborative research projects focused on panda conservation and habitat protection. NZCBI will pay a $1 million annual fee to CWCA to support these efforts, with funding sourced from donations, annual membership support, and in-park revenue.
NZCBI is also launching a fundraising campaign seeking $25 million in public and corporate donations to support renovations to the panda exhibit, Giant Panda Cam upgrade and maintenance, insurance, permitting, administrative staff, and associated operating costs, as well as conservation research. The indoor and outdoor panda habitats are being updated to enhance safety and maximize space for the pandas, with new rock structures, bamboo stands, climbing structures, and enrichment items.
Since 1972, pandas have been one of the biggest attractions at the Zoo, drawing an estimated 1.9 million visitors annually. The Giant Panda Cam, which has had over 100 million views since its launch in 2000, will be relaunched when the new pandas make their public debut.
For the latest updates on NZCBI’s panda program, visit the Zoo’s website, subscribe to its e-newsletter, and follow on social media platforms.
