WASHINGTON — The long, dark panda drought at the National Zoo appears to be coming to an end.
Eleven months after the zoo said there were three extremely popular pandas – Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji – back to China, a new pair of bears is about to arrive.
A pair of three-year-old giant pandas named Bao Li and Qing Bao have left a research facility in the southwestern Chinese city of Dujiangyan and will soon be flown to Washington, according to a statement from the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
“The food prepared for the journey includes cornbread, bamboo and carrots, as well as water and medicine,” the statement said, adding that the partnership “will make new contributions to the protection of global biodiversity and the friendship of the people from the two countries will strengthen. .”
It’s unclear exactly when the bears will arrive in Washington, but there will likely be a longer quarantine and acclimation period before they are introduced to the public.
Bao Li (Precious Power) and Qing Bao (Green Treasure) arrive in Washington as part of a new 10-year exchange agreement with Chinese authorities. The previous agreement expired last year, causing some concern among American panda lovers Beijing gradually picked up are iconic furry friendship ambassadors from American zoos amid rising diplomatic tensions.
Breeding pairs at zoos in Memphis and San Diego had already returned to China and the last American pandas were expected to leave Atlanta at the end of this year.
That fear turned to optimism last November Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly expressed a desire to continue the panda exchange programs. This year there have been new bear pairs delivered to the San Diego Zoowhile another couple has been promised to San Francisco.
In Washington, National Zoo officials remained noticeably silent on negotiations for a new panda exchange agreement, but expressed optimism about closing a new deal and in anticipation launched a multi-million dollar renovation of the panda enclosure. Then, in late May, zoo director Brandie Smith worked with first lady Jill Biden to announce that Bao Li and Qing Bao would arrive at the end of this year.
The Chinese announcement said the National Zoo had sent “three experienced keepers and veterinary experts” to China to assist the transport and supervise the bears.
Zoo officials declined to confirm the Chinese announcement on Monday. Zoo spokesperson Jennifer Zoon said in an email: “For the safety of animals and staff, we cannot confirm any details at this time.” But signs at the zoo and on the social media site heralded the pandas’ planned return.
“The giant pandas are an iconic part of the story of Washington, DC, for locals and inbound travelers alike,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC. “The interest and excitement associated with their return will directly benefit the entire city, creating even more interest and visitors to our hotels, restaurants and other attractions.”
The exact terms of the panda exchange agreement are still unclear. Under previous ten-year agreements, the Chinese government receives $1 million per year, per bear. Cubs born in overseas zoos are usually returned to China before the age of four.