The U.S. National Zoo's long dark panda drought appears to be coming to an end.
After eleven months at the Washington, D.C. Zoo, where its three famous pandas — Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Gui Ji — were sent back to China, a new pair of bears arrived in the United States.
Three-year-old giant pandas named Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived in Washington by plane Tuesday, leaving a research facility in the southwestern Chinese city of Dujiangyan.
“Food prepared for the trip includes corn bread, bamboo and carrots, as well as water and medicine,” the China Wildlife Conservation Society said in a statement ahead of the trip. It added that the partnership would “make new contributions to the conservation of global biodiversity and enhance people-to-people friendship between the two countries”.
After they arrive in America, there will probably be an extended quarantine and acclimatization period before they are introduced to the public. On Monday evening, the zoo's website posted a warning that the entire facility would be closed on Tuesday, with a lead article on the site saying the pandas would arrive sometime before the end of the year.
Bao Li (Precious Vigor) and Qing Bao (Green Treasure) are coming to Washington as part of a new 10-year deal with Chinese authorities. The previous agreement expired last year, causing some concern among American panda-lovers, as Beijing gradually pulls its furry-friendly ambassadors from US zoos.
Breeding pairs at zoos in Memphis and San Diego have already returned to China, and four pandas at Zoo Atlanta traveled to China last week.
That worry turned to hope last November when Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly announced his intention to continue panda exchange programs. This year, a new pair of bears has been delivered to the San Diego Zoo, and another pair has been pledged to San Francisco.
In Washington, officials at the National Zoo were apparently tight-lipped about negotiations for a new panda contract, but they expressed confidence in striking a new contract and began a multimillion-dollar renovation of its panda enclosure in anticipation. In late May, Zoo Director Brandi Smith, along with First Lady Jill Biden, announced that Bao Li and King Bao would arrive by the end of the year.
The Chinese announcement said the National Zoo had sent “three experienced keepers and veterinary experts” to China to help with transport and accompany the bears.
Zoo officials on Monday declined to confirm the Chinese announcement. Zoo spokeswoman Jennifer June said in an email that “for the safety of the animals and staff, we cannot confirm any details at this time.” But signs at the zoo and on its social media site have announced the pandas' planned return, and gift shops are still dominated by panda-themed merchandise.
“Giant pandas are an important part of the Washington DC story for locals and inbound travelers alike,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC. “The interest and excitement associated with their return directly benefits the entire city, bringing interest and visitors to our hotels, restaurants and other venues.”
The exact terms of the deal are still unclear; Under previous 10-year contracts, the Chinese government receives $1 million per year per bear. Cubs born in foreign zoos are usually returned to China before they reach the age of four.
Pandas have become one of the unofficial symbols of the nation's capital since 1972 when the first couple – Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing – were sent as a gift from Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai following President Richard Nixon's historic diplomatic visit. . Later, a rolling series of 10-year cooperation agreements ensued.
Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said they had cooperated for decades in advancing research into panda conservation and breeding. During the lifetime of these agreements, giant pandas have been reclassified from endangered to simply vulnerable.
“The current round of cooperation focuses on preventing and treating major diseases, and protecting habitats and wild giant panda populations,” Liu said in an email. “We believe the arrival of the pandas will inject new impetus into exchanges between China and the United States, and help solidify the broader bilateral relationship.”
