Pandas

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DC pandas will be returning to China in mid-November, weeks earlier than expected

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Zoo’s three celebrity giant pandas will be heading home a little earlier than expected. Zoo officials told The Associated Press on Thursday that adult bears Mei Xiang and Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji will be returning to China sometime in mid-November.

https://apnews.com/article/giant-pandas-smithsonian-national-zoo-china-96c106c85143621e29bcc579a24c068d?

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🐼 San Diego's new pandas

Yun Chuan, a giant panda headed to the San Diego Zoo this summer. Photo: Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo via AP Two new pandas — Yun Chuan (pronounced yoon chu-an) and Xin Bao (pronounced sing bao) — are headed to the San Diego Zoo this summer. Zoo officials released photos of the two pandas today, following a recent trip to China to meet them, Axios San Diego co-author Andrew Keatts writes. The giant pandas' arrival date still isn't certain, but the zoo says it's working through the necessary steps and hopes they'll be in the U.S. this summer. Xin Bao is headed to the San Diego Zoo this summer. Photo: Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo via AP Go deeper.

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🐼 1 fun thing: Panda-monium

Bao Li in his habitat at Shenshuping Base in Wolong, China. Photo: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Giant pandas are officially returning to the Smithsonian's National Zoo, Mimi Montgomery and Anna Spiegel write for Axios D.C. Why it matters: The nation's capital said goodbye to its last three pandas in November as part of a loan agreement with the Chinese government, leaving D.C. sans panda for the first time in over two decades. Today, first lady Jill Biden joined National Zoo officials to announce that two new pandas will arrive by the end of the year and stay through at least April 2034. Bao Li is a 2-year-old male and the grandson of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, the two pandas who left the zoo last year. He'll be joined by Qing Bao, a 2-year-old female. Go deeper.

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The Panda Party is back on as giant pandas will return to Washington’s National Zoo by year’s end

WASHINGTON (AP) — Months after the nation’s capital bid an emotional farewell to its giant pandas, the National Zoo is expecting a renewed surge in panda-mania with the announcement that two more of the furry black-and-white icons will be coming to Washington.

https://apnews.com/article/giant-pandas-washington-zoo-china-764f8016d98c01ab579bdbb6dcc3dd6b?

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🐼 1 for the road: Panda debut

Xin Bao in her new habitat. Photo: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance The San Diego Zoo's new pair of pandas — seen above in their first official pics — are "acclimating well" to their new habitat since their arrival late last month, Axios San Diego's Kate Murphy writes. It'll be several weeks before the public can see them. Yun Chuan. Photo: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance In addition to feeding them fresh bamboo, zoo staff created a local adaptation of wowotou, a traditional Chinese bun also called "panda bread." Keep reading ...

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Opening day is here for San Diego Zoo's new pandas

The wait is over. Panda Ridge officially opens today for visitors to see Yun Chuan and Xin Bao at the San Diego Zoo.

https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/08/07/san-diego-zoo-panda-exhibit-opening-yun-chuan-xin-bao?

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🐼 1 fun thing: Panda-conomy

The Watergate's panda package includes themed treats. Photo: The Watergate Hotel A new panda pop-up bar. Luxury "zoocation" packages. D.C.'s panda-conomy is taking off as the Smithsonian National Zoo's bears debut later this month, Axios D.C.'s Anna Spiegel reports. Why it matters: Giant pandas mean big business for the city. After weeks of quarantine, 3-year-olds Bao Li and Qing Bao will preview for a limited number of zoo members starting Friday. The public unveiling is Jan. 24. State of play: Locals and tourists can climb into the Bamboo Bar starting Friday. The panda-themed pop-up takes over Duke's Counter, across from the zoo. There'll be a green habitat-chic decor plus panda-rita cocktails. Expect bamboo everything, from edible garnishes to sustainable straws. Baked by Yael, a kosher and nut-free bakery by the zoo, has tripled its revenue on big bear occasions. To fuel the craze, it bakes panda pops and cookies and sells merch. 🛏️ Several D.C. hotels are hawking panda-themed packages. The Watergate will offer panda-print pajamas, panda-themed treats and round-trip transportation to the zoo. Starting price: nearly $600 for a king room on the pandas' debut day.

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🐼 1 for the road: Pandas in Atlanta

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios Atlanta zoo officials gave the people what they wanted today. Officials said they were "engaging in dialogue" with China and would begin preliminary design work on a giant panda complex to prepare for the big ole goofy creatures' future — but yet to be determined — return, Axios Atlanta's Thomas Wheatley reports. The Smithsonian National Zoo in D.C., and more recently Atlanta, returned their pandas to China per terms of their loan agreements with the Chinese government. Last month, D.C.'s panda-conomy got a jolt with two new pandas. Yes, but: Atlanta officials say they don't have a formal agreement, so there's no current timeline.