WASHINGTON — Giant pandas Bao Li [BOW-lee] and Qing Bao [ching-BOW] made their public debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) on Friday. Zoo workers and city officials held a special ceremony to unveil the pandas to the public, declaring the Zoo the “District of Panda.”
“For over 50 years, giant pandas have been an integral part of the fabric and culture of Washington, D.C., thanks in large part to the support of the communities that live and work in the District,” Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of NZCBI, said. “Bao Li and Qing Bao have won our hearts, and we’re excited to welcome panda fans back to the Zoo—the only place in the nation where you can see giant pandas for free—and celebrate the newest chapter of our giant panda breeding and conservation program.”
As part of the giant panda comeback, the National Zoo relaunched its Giant Panda Cam, sponsored by The Boeing Company, ensuring virtual visitors could join in the celebration and welcome the animal ambassadors to Washington. The Giant Panda Cam is composed of 40 cameras operated from a central system by a corps of specially trained volunteers. The webcams broadcast from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. After 7 p.m., the day’s recording is rebroadcast to ensure virtual visitors around the world can view the animals at their most active.
More Panda fun:
From Jan. 24 to Feb. 9, the Zoo will host the District of Panda Party, a public celebration with special events and programs, including a Lunar New Year event. It is made possible with the support of Boeing, FedEx, Pepco and Events DC.
During the District of Panda Party, visitors can celebrate on-site at the Zoo with free and family-friendly entertainment, including film screenings of “Kung Fu Panda” in the Visitor Center Theater and cultural activities provided courtesy of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. Details on the events are available on the Zoo’s website and will continue to be updated as the event approaches.
Panda merch:
Limited-edition “The Pandas Are Here” merchandise is now available online and on-site at the zoo. The collection includes T-shirts, sweatshirts, glassware, tote bags and more.
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