Giant Pandas Return To The National Zoo!

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Qing Bao enjoying bamboo in her snow-covered habitat (Credit: Roshan Patel/ CC-BY-SA-2.0/ Smithsonian's National Zoo)

Giant pandas are back at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, after 15 months! Three-year-olds Bao Li and Qing Bao made their debut to an excited crowd on January 24, 2025. The cubs arrived from China on October 15, 2024. But they had to complete a three-month quarantine before being introduced to the public.

According to zookeepers, the two pandas have distinct personalities. Bao Li, the male, is playful, curious, and loves to be around people. Qing Bao, the female, is cautious and easily scared by new sounds. She often spends time alone, hanging out in trees.

The three-year-old cubs have very different personalities (Credit: Roshan Patel/ CC-BY-SA-2.0/ Smithsonian's National Zoo)

The pair are the ninth and tenth pandas to call the nation’s capital home. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, who lived at the zoo for 23 years, along with their three-year-old cub Xiao Qi Ji, were returned to China in November 2023. Their departure left Washington, DC, without giant pandas for the first time in 53 years.

Fortunately, Zoo officials signed a new agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, which owns most giant pandas in captivity. Under this deal, Bao Li and Qing Bao will stay at the Zoo for ten years in exchange for an annual fee of $1 million.

Bao Li exploring his outdoor habitat at the zoo (Credit: Roshan Patel/ CC-BY-SA-2.0/ Smithsonian's National Zoo)

To commemorate Bao Li and Qing Bao's arrival, the Zoo is hosting a two-week celebration from January 29 to February 9, 2025. Called the "District of Panda Party," the event features live music, dance parties, panda trivia, and even a yoga session with the pandas.

Resources: Smithsonianmag.com, nationalzoo.si.edu

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MLA8

Dolasia, Kavi. “Giant Pandas Return To The National Zoo!.” DOGOnews, DOGO Media, Inc., 30 Jan, 2025, www.dogonews.com/2025/1/30/giant-pandas-return-to-the-national-zoo. Accessed 01 Jul. 2025.

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Dolasia, Kavi. “Giant Pandas Return To The National Zoo!.” DOGOnews, DOGO Media, Inc., 30 Jan, 2025, Web. 01 Jul. 2025.

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Dolasia, K. (2025, January 30). Giant Pandas Return To The National Zoo!. Retrieved 2025, July 1, from https://www.dogonews.com/2025/1/30/giant-pandas-return-to-the-national-zoo

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Dolasia, Kavi. “Giant Pandas Return To The National Zoo!.” DOGOnews. January 30, 2025. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://www.dogonews.com/2025/1/30/giant-pandas-return-to-the-national-zoo.
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Generate citations in MLA, APA, & Chicago formats

MLA8

Dolasia, Kavi. “Giant Pandas Return To The National Zoo!.” DOGOnews, DOGO Media, Inc., 30 Jan, 2025, www.dogonews.com/2025/1/30/giant-pandas-return-to-the-national-zoo. Accessed 01 Jul. 2025.

MLA7

Dolasia, Kavi. “Giant Pandas Return To The National Zoo!.” DOGOnews, DOGO Media, Inc., 30 Jan, 2025, Web. 01 Jul. 2025.

Chicago

Dolasia, Kavi. “Giant Pandas Return To The National Zoo!.” DOGOnews. January 30, 2025. Accessed July 1, 2025. https://www.dogonews.com/2025/1/30/giant-pandas-return-to-the-national-zoo.

APA

Dolasia, K. (2025, January 30). Giant Pandas Return To The National Zoo!. Retrieved 2025, July 1, from https://www.dogonews.com/2025/1/30/giant-pandas-return-to-the-national-zoo

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