wap/wow! National Zoo is getting a new panda! No, panda*s*!
Posted by
prayformojo 🐵 (aka mayhem)
May 29 '24, 05:47
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Special Announcement
from the John and Adrienne Mars Director of
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Dear Anthony,
It’s hard to believe it was just six months ago that we said farewell to Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji. So it is with considerable excitement that I write today to share the news that in the coming months, we will be welcoming this incredible species back to the Zoo:
A blonde, white woman, Dr. Brandie Smith, speaking to the camera
Even More Exciting:
One of our new bears is a descendant of our beloved panda family. Our panda team recently traveled to China to meet Qing Bao and Bao Li, both two years old, and born at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in Sichuan.
Bao Li. Photo: Roshan Patel/Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Bao Li
[BOW-lee] (male)
whose name means “treasure” and “energetic” in Mandarin Chinese—was born August 4, 2021 to father An An, and mother Bao Bao, born here at NZCBI in 2013. That makes Bao Li the grandcub of Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, who lived here from 2000 to 2023.
Qing Bao
[ching-BOW] (female)
was born Sept. 12, 2021 to father Qing Qing and mother Jia Mei. Her name, meaning “green” and “treasure,” evokes the lush and mountainous habitat where giant pandas roam in the wild, and that she is cherished by all who know her. She currently lives at Du Jiang Yan Base in Sichuan.
Qing Bao. Photo: Roshan Patel/Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
I look forward to keeping you updated as we work with our U.S. and Chinese partners towards the bears' arrival later this year.
This historic moment is proof positive our work has made an irrefutable impact. Through a partnership with our Chinese colleagues that has spanned more than five decades, we have grown the giant panda population, advanced our shared understanding of how to care for this beloved bear, and learned what’s needed to protect wild pandas and preserve their native habitat.
We are so grateful for our enthusiastic panda fans around the world as they follow our pandas’ stories, inspired to care about wildlife and moved to action through our animals and our science.
Learn More
We have so many victories to celebrate, but still have so much left to learn and to do. With friends like you supporting this important work, we can continue to save species—making a difference for wildlife and ecosystems worldwide.
Warmly,
_
Brandie Smith, Ph.D.
John and Adrienne Mars Director
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
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Responses:
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I fundamentally don’t understand why anyone cares about these animals at the zoo. (Yes I realize I’m in the minority on that) -- nm
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MDH
May 29, 06:51
2
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Obviously, as a condition of employment, they will need to complete sexual harassment training -- nm
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Masked Baron
May 29, 06:44
1
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A blonde, white woman, Dr. Brandie Smith, speaking to the camera -- nm
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Dano
May 29, 06:12
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Nice! San Diego is getting new pandas as well. -- nm
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Krusty
May 29, 05:57
2
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Butterstick: the revenge -- nm
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mafic
May 29, 05:51
1
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