National Zoo Welcomes Pandas Bao Li, Qing Bao

The Smithsonian National Zoo is set to welcome two new giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, who departed from China and are expected to arrive soon. This marks the end of a nearly year-long absence of pandas at the zoo, following the return of its previous trio to China last November. The pandas will undergo a minimum 30-day quarantine before their public debut as part of a ten-year agreement focused on breeding and conservation. The arrival of Bao Li and Qing Bao is highly anticipated and symbolizes a continuation of 'panda diplomacy' between China and the U.S. Meanwhile, the zoo will be closed on October 15 for safety reasons related to the pandas' arrival, with no further details provided. The National Zoo's commitment to panda conservation remains strong, with plans to enhance their habitat in preparation for the new arrivals.