It’s panda-monium in DC again.
Two giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, made their public debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in the nation’s capital Friday — more than a year after the last pair of large, remarkable black and white bears left the facility to return to China.
The new arrivals landed stateside in October but had to remain in quarantine until now.
“Bao Li and Qing Bao have already won the hearts of our staff and volunteers, and we are excited to welcome panda fans back to the Zoo,” said Brandie Smith, director of the National Zoo and Conservative Biology Institute, in a statement.
In honor of the pandas’ debut, the National Zoo is hosting a series of events called the “District of Panda” from Jan. 25 to Feb. 9, including a Lunar New Year event.
For panda fans not local to Washington, the National Zoo also is bringing back its Giant Panda Cam, where virtual visitors can watch Bao Li and Qing Bao, both 3, in their outdoor and indoor enclosures from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Though the pandas may look similar to the untrained eye, giant-panda keeper Mariel Lally says a few physical differences and very distinct personalities helps her know who’s who.
Qing Bao, the female panda, is more reserved and independent than her counterpart, according to Lally. Her name loosely translates to “precious treasure” from the lush mountains of China.
Meanwhile, Bao Li is a showman, vocal with his keepers and often “bleating” at them to greet them, the zookeeper said. His name combines “precious” and “powerful.”
“If you hear a panda vocalizing to a keeper, that’s probably Bao Li,” Lally said.
Bao Li and Qing Bao join a long lineage of giant panda bears sent from China since 1972 as part of a decades-long partnership between the two countries to help the endangered species breed and as a show of goodwill.
As part of the agreement, China sends a pair of pandas to the National Zoo on a loaner for 10 years before they are returned to China. During that time, if the pair has cubs, the panda cubs are sent back to China to grow up in their natural habitat.
Qing Bao and Bao Li will live at the National Zoo until April 2034, according to the agreement.
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