Two New Giant Pandas Headed to Washington’s National Zoo
The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., is preparing for the arrival of two new giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, from China. The exact arrival date is still unknown, but the zoo has confirmed that the pandas will be here before the end of the year.
The excitement around the pandas’ arrival has been building, with new billboards and a dedicated webpage popping up around the District. Donations are also rolling in to refurbish the exhibit and program. Zookeepers and conservation biologists, like Melissa Songer, are eagerly awaiting the pandas’ arrival, despite not being able to disclose the exact date.
The pandas’ arrival is part of China’s ongoing “panda diplomacy,” a practice of sending giant pandas to other countries as a tool of diplomacy and wildlife conservation. This practice has been ongoing since the 1950s and continues to be a significant aspect of China’s international relations.
