Two giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, both 3 years old, have made their way from China to Washington, D.C., marking a significant event as the US capital welcomes new furry diplomats from Beijing after 24 years. The pandas arrived at Washington Dulles Airport on a FedEx cargo plane named 'Panda Express' on Tuesday morning.
These pandas are on loan to the Smithsonian's National Zoo for a period of 10 years, with an annual fee of $1 million to support conservation efforts in China. The previous pair of pandas at the zoo returned to China last November, leaving the panda exhibit empty for 11 months.
Bao Li, with deep familial ties to Washington, has a vibrant personality reminiscent of his grandfather, Tian Tian. On the other hand, Qing Bao is described as more reserved and independent, with a penchant for sleeping and climbing trees.
The Smithsonian's National Zoo has a long history of exhibiting giant pandas, starting with the arrival of Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing in 1972 as part of China's 'panda diplomacy.' Giant pandas have since become a star attraction at the zoo, drawing millions of visitors.
Preparations for Bao Li and Qing Bao's journey included a delegation from the Washington zoo assisting with the transition in Sichuan, China. The pandas were placed in quarantine, with keepers noting their different food preferences and behaviors.
During a sendoff ceremony, the zoo's director highlighted the longstanding collaboration between the Smithsonian and Chinese partners on panda conservation. Fans and the zoo team eagerly anticipate welcoming Bao Li and Qing Bao to their new home at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.
