Today’s the big day! Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao are making their long-awaited public debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., ahead of Lunar New Year next week.
Bao Li and Qing Bao, both 3, are emerging from quarantine and are featured in the newly relaunched giant panda cam, which consists of 40 cameras that will be operated live between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.
Giant panda Bao Li
Roshan Patel/Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
Giant panda Qing Bao
Roshan Patel/Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
The superstar pandas traveled from China and arrived in the U.S. on Oct. 15, 2024. National Zoo members had the opportunity to see the pandas in a special preview held between Jan. 10 and Jan. 19, a period that gave the giant pandas time to acclimate to their new home.
“Bao Li and Qing Bao have already won the hearts of our staff and volunteers, and we are excited to welcome panda fans back to the Zoo — the only place in the nation where you can see giant pandas for free — and celebrate the newest chapter of our giant panda breeding and conservation program,” Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the National Zoo, said in a news release.
“They’re very active and they’re just a lot of fun and obviously super cute,” zookeeper Mariel Lally told ABC News previously about the two pandas.
The National Zoo will host a series of public events and programs celebrating the giant pandas between Jan. 25 and Feb. 9, including a Lunar New Year event. Some Washington, D.C., hotels are even offering panda-themed packages with amenities such as stuffed toy pandas, roundtrip transportation to the zoo and panda-themed beverages.
Panda enthusiasts can see the giant pandas for free at the National Zoo, the only zoo in the U.S. where visitors can see the animals free of charge.
Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao, the newest residents at the National Zoo, made their highly anticipated public debut today! Visitors flocked to the panda exhibit to catch a glimpse of these adorable black and white bears as they explored their new surroundings.
Bao Li and Qing Bao, both three years old, were born in China and recently arrived at the National Zoo as part of a conservation program. The pair will play a crucial role in raising awareness about the conservation efforts being made to protect these endangered animals.
The pandas wasted no time in charming visitors with their playful antics and adorable personalities. Bao Li, the more adventurous of the two, was seen climbing trees and playing with enrichment toys, while Qing Bao preferred to lounge in the sun and munch on bamboo.
The National Zoo is thrilled to welcome Bao Li and Qing Bao to their panda family and is dedicated to providing them with the highest level of care and enrichment. Be sure to stop by and say hello to these lovable pandas during your next visit to the zoo!
Tags:
- Giant pandas
- Bao Li
- Qing Bao
- National Zoo
- Panda debut
- Panda news
- Panda exhibit
- National Zoo pandas
- Bao Li and Qing Bao
- Giant panda debut
#Giant #pandas #Bao #Qing #Bao #public #debut #National #Zoo
