Shutterstock.com (background); Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute (Qing Bao)

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5 Big Questions About Pandas

People across the country are talking about two giant pandas at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Find out why.

1. What’s the big deal about these pandas?

Bao Li (BOW lee) and Qing Bao (ching BOW) arrived at their new home on October 15. The giant pandas, both 3 years old, are the latest on loan from China to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Their arrival is part of a program between the U.S. and China that began more than 50 years ago.

In exchange for the pandas, the National Zoo will pay a yearly fee of $1 million. And American and Chinese scientists will work together on conservation efforts like restoring panda habitats and preventing diseases.

Bao Li (BOW lee) and Qing Bao (ching BOW) arrived at their new home on October 15. The giant pandas are both 3 years old. They are on loan from China to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Their arrival is part of a program between the U.S. and China. It began more than 50 years ago.

In exchange for the pandas, the National Zoo will pay a yearly fee of $1 million. And American and Chinese scientists will work together on conservation efforts. These include restoring panda habitats and preventing diseases.

Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

Qing Bao munches on bamboo at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

2. Why do giant pandas need help?

Giant pandas, native to China, are among the most threatened species in the world. Pandas’ main food source, a plant called bamboo, makes up more than 90 percent of their diets. But decades of deforestation had wiped out much of giant pandas’ wild habitats—and their favorite food.

As a result, the panda population dropped. By the 1970s, only about 1,000 pandas were left in the wild. The Chinese government set up reserves to protect the bamboo forests where pandas live. Today there are more than 1,800 pandas in the wild. In order for the species to survive, the number of pandas in the wild must grow even more.

The National Zoo aims to help the species. It’s not the only one. The San Diego Zoo also welcomed two pandas in 2024. And the San Francisco Zoo hopes to receive a pair this year. 

Giant pandas are native to China. They are among the world’s most threatened species. More than 90 percent of pandas’ diets are made up of bamboo. That’s a plant. But years of deforestation had destroyed much of pandas’ habitats and favorite food.

As a result, the panda population dropped. By the 1970s, only about 1,000 pandas were left in the wild. So the Chinese government set up reserves. These reserves protect the bamboo forests where pandas live. Today there are more than 1,800 pandas in the wild. For the species to survive, this number must grow even more.

The National Zoo aims to help the species. It’s not the only one. The San Diego Zoo also welcomed two pandas in 2024. And the San Francisco Zoo hopes to receive a pair this year.

3. How do giant pandas travel from China to the U.S.?

Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Bao Li and Qing Bao hopped on a flight! The plane used to transport the giant pandas is specially designed to move the large animals in crates. The plane is nicknamed the Panda Express.

Veterinarians traveled with the pandas from Chengdu, China. They packed plenty of snacks, including bamboo. After about 19 hours, and a brief stop in Alaska, the pandas landed near Washington, D.C. Then they were loaded onto trucks and taken to their new home at the National Zoo.

Bao Li and Qing Bao took a flight! They flew on a plane specially designed to move the large animals in crates. The plane is nicknamed the Panda Express.

Veterinarians traveled with the pandas from Chengdu, China. They packed plenty of snacks, including bamboo. After about 19 hours, and a short stop in Alaska, the pandas landed near Washington, D.C. They were loaded onto trucks. Then they were taken to the National Zoo.

4. Why are pandas in U.S. zoos important?

Pandas rely on conservation efforts. Public interest is key.

“To save wildlife, people need to care about wildlife,” says Ellie Tahmaseb, a spokesperson for the National Zoo. “When people learn about and love pandas, they are inspired to donate to support wildlife conservation.”

Most Americans won’t get the chance to visit China and see pandas in the wild. Bringing them to U.S. zoos allows millions of people to get to know the animals. Thanks to popular panda cams, people can see the bears online anytime. At the National Zoo, Bao Li and Qing Bao are already capturing people’s hearts.

“Bao Li is outgoing, curious, and playful,” Tahmaseb says. “Qing Bao is more independent and prefers to do her own thing.”

Pandas rely on conservation efforts. Public interest is key.

“To save wildlife, people need to care about wildlife,” says Ellie Tahmaseb. She works for the National Zoo. “When people learn about and love pandas, they are inspired to donate to support wildlife conservation.”

Most Americans won’t get the chance to see pandas in the wild in China. Bringing them to U.S. zoos allows millions of people to meet the animals. People can also see the bears online on popular panda cams. At the National Zoo, Bao Li and Qing Bao are already capturing people’s hearts.

“Bao Li is outgoing, curious, and playful,” Tahmaseb says. “Qing Bao is more independent and prefers to do her own thing.”

Li Chuanyou/VCG via Getty Images

Workers care for pandas at the Wolong National Nature Reserve in China. 

5. Will the National Zoo get to keep Bao Li and Qing Bao forever? 

No. The giant pandas are on loan until 2034, when they will return to China. Scientists hope Bao Li, who is male, and Qing Bao, a female, will mate during their time at the zoo. Any cubs they have will be sent to China by the time they turn 4 years old. 

Tahmaseb says zookeepers will be sad to see the pandas leave. But they’ll also be grateful to have helped the public learn more about the bears.

“The pandas are proof of how much good the global community can do when we work together,” she says.

No. The giant pandas are on loan until 2034. Then they will return to China. Bao Li is male and Qing Bao is female. Scientists hope they will mate during their time at the zoo. Any cubs they have will be sent to China before they turn 4 years old. 

Tahmaseb says zookeepers will be sad to see the pandas leave. But they’ll also be grateful. They will have helped the public learn more about the bears.

“The pandas are proof of how much good the global community can do when we work together,” she says.

  1. What does the article mean when it says that Bao Li and Qing Bao are “on loan” to the National Zoo?
  2. Based on the article, how could the giant panda species benefit from Bao Li and Qing Bao being at the National Zoo?
  3. What does conservation mean as it is used in the article? What is a clue in the article that helps you determine this meaning?
  1. What does the article mean when it says that Bao Li and Qing Bao are “on loan” to the National Zoo?
  2. Based on the article, how could the giant panda species benefit from Bao Li and Qing Bao being at the National Zoo?
  3. What does conservation mean as it is used in the article? What is a clue in the article that helps you determine this meaning?
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