PREVIEW

Two New Giant Pandas Are Heading To Washington D.C. From China. These are the two giant pandas Washington D.C.’s Smithsonian’ National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) will welcome later in 2024. Bao Li and Qing Bao will arrive in the U.S. capital from China thanks to a partnership with the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP). This news follows the departure of giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, to China six months ago, which prompted an emotional farewell from millions of fans. Bao Li is a two-year-old male whose name means “treasure” and “energetic” in Mandarin. He is a direct descendant of NZCBI’s former pandas, as his mother, Bao Bao, was born at NZCBI in 2013, and his grandparents, Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, resided there from 2000 to 2023 . Qing Bao is a two-year-old female whose name means “green” and “treasure”. Her name reflects the lush, mountainous habitat of wild pandas. The pandas will be cared for by a dedicated team of keepers, nutritionists, and veterinarians and will be provided with enrichment items to help them acclimate to their new environment. Their public debut will be announced once the pandas have settled in and are ready to meet visitors.