Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao are headed to Washington, D.C.'s National Zoo, making their way from Dujiangyan, China, in what has been a highly anticipated move. According to the China Wildlife Conservation Society, they were transported via a FedEx Boeing 777, affectionately referred to as the "Panda Express," as reported by Fox 5.
The pandas are expected to rejuvenate the panda program at the zoo, following the departure of the zoo's last pandas nearly a year ago, according to reports from NBC Washington. Amid tight security and privacy measures, "Something giant is coming to Washington, D.C. via the @FedEx Panda Express! The Zoo will be closed to the public tomorrow, Oct. 15. For the safety of the pandas and staff, we will not disclose any additional timing," the National Zoo shared in a social media post.
As detailed by CBS News, the new pandas' arrival signifies a continued partnership in panda breeding and research between the United States and China. Bao Li, notably, carries a lineage linked to Washington, D.C., being the son of former resident Bao Bao, who was born at the same zoo in 2013.
Once Bao Li and Qing Bao arrive, they will undergo at least a 30-day quarantine to prevent potential transmission of parasites or diseases to other zoo inhabitants. A public debut is anticipated but will be announced only after the bears have properly acclimated to their new environment, "As soon as the animal care team feels the bears are ready to meet visitors," according to the Smithsonian Zoo. Notably, the National Zoo also houses red pandas, offering a diverse look at the family Ailuridae, as per CBS News.
They arrive under a 10-year agreement of breeding and research, which the National Zoo director Brandie Smith describes “The pandas' arrival is not just an exciting event, but it’s proof positive of the success of our giant panda program,” a statement obtained by NBC Washington.
