Giant Pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao Head to D.C.

Two giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, have begun their journey from China to Washington's National Zoo, traveling aboard a FedEx cargo jet known as the 'Panda Express.' Both pandas are three years old and were born in a conservation center in Sichuan, with Bao Li being a descendant of the zoo's previous pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. The arrival is highly anticipated following the departure of the zoo's last pandas to China in 2023, which left a notable void for panda enthusiasts. The National Zoo aims to continue its breeding and conservation efforts, emphasizing the partnership with Chinese colleagues in preserving the species. The pandas are expected to be welcomed by the end of 2024, with preparations made for their care during the flight. This exchange is part of a long-standing collaboration between the U.S. and China dating back to a 1972 agreement aimed at panda conservation.