On Oct. 15, two important ambassadors from China landed in Washington, D.C., with a police escort, camera crews, and special handlers to welcome them. The high-profile globetrotters in question are 3-year-old giant pandas Qing Bao and Bao Li: the (adorable) faces of “panda diplomacy.”
The bear pair traveled 8,000 miles aboard a FedEx cargo plane dubbed “The Panda Express” to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, where they’ll spend the next decade in a renovated habitat complete with shallow pools, climbing structures, and, of course, plenty of bamboo.
“Our team has worked tirelessly to prepare for the pandas’ arrival, and we’re thrilled to welcome Bao Li and Qing Bao to Washington, D.C.,” said zoo director Brandie Smith in a press release. Until this week, the zoo had been panda-less for nearly a year, making the new black-and-white residents all the more thrilling.
“These animals bring people together. They bring so much joy to people, and it’s amazing that they’re back,” Kirsten Svane, who witnessed the grand arrival at the zoo, told The Washington Post. “It’s really great for the city.”
And just like any pair of buddies, Bao Li and Qing Bao, a male and female, respectively, each have their own unique traits. “Bao Li has a huge personality,” Mariel Lally, a panda keeper from the National Zoo who accompanied the bears on the flight to Washington, told CNN, adding: “He’s energetic, he’s all about people, he’s just a lot of fun.” She noted that Qing Bao is a “pretty tiny little bear” who is slightly more independent than Bao Li, and “would rather do her own thing.”
Their names are special too: Bao, which they both share, means “precious” and “treasure.” Li refers to “vitality” and “strength,” and Qing means “green,” reflecting pandas’ lush, mountainous natural habitat.
The pandas will spend the first 30 days in their new digs under quarantine, a routine practice that ensures newcomers don’t introduce any parasites or diseases to other animals. During that time, they’ll have access to enclosures within the panda house, and care staff will provide them “with a variety of enrichment items to keep them active and encourage them to explore their new environment,” per the press release.
On Jan. 24, the pair will make their much-anticipated public debut. In the meantime, excited fans can stay connected with the ursine duo by tuning it to the National Zoo’s “Prepping for Pandas,” a nine-part, biweekly YouTube series that launched Oct. 16 and will chronicle important milestones and moments in the panda’s lives as they settle in.
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