Giant panda News

Displaying 1 - 25 of 334

Male giant panda Bao Li looks for female Qing Bao at the "howdy" mesh between their habitats. (Brett Kuxhausen/Smithsonian)
March 27, 2026

Flirting Like a Panda: Spring Sparks for Bao Li and Qing Bao at National Zoo ›

A sure sign of spring is when giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao show interest in one another. Watch them "flirt" in this update!

Giant panda Qing Bao climbs a tree in her outdoor habitat on Nov. 1, 2025. Credit: Kaitlyn Adkins/Smithsonian
November 15, 2025

Giant Panda Qing Bao Gets a Checkup ›

Giant panda Qing Bao had a routine checkup Oct. 22. Veterinarians say she is in very good health!

Giant panda Qing Bao enjoys her "4-ever sweet" birthday cake at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Credit: Roshan Patel/Smithsonian
September 12, 2025

#DCPandas: Happy 4th Birthday, Qing Bao! ›

Join us in wishing our “4-ever sweet” giant panda Qing Bao a happy 4th birthday!

Giant panda Qing Bao explores her habitat at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Credit: Roshan Patel/Smithsonian
August 22, 2025

#DCPandas: Preparing for Pseudopregnancy ›

Our giant pandas didn’t breed this year, but changes in Qing Bao’s behavior and hormones indicate she’s going through pseudopregnancy. Learn more in our panda team update!

Bao Li leans against a tree and eats bamboo
July 31, 2025

Bao Li, Qing Bao and the Secrets of Summer Panda Life at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo ›

How are the new giant pandas spending their first summer? And what’s changed since they arrived nine months ago? Keeper Mariel Lally explains.

Giant panda Bao Li explores his outdoor habitat at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. Credit: Roshan Patel/Smithsonian
May 16, 2025

From Bleats to Bonds: Early Signs of Affection Between D.C.’s Giant Pandas ›

Bleats and chirps between two giant pandas are a sure sign that flirtatious feelings are in the air! Read all about the bears and the bleats in our latest #DCPandas update.

Giant panda Qing Bao in her habitat at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
January 24, 2025

Two New Giant Pandas Debut at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao made their public debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute today.

Bao Li hangs out in a tree.
January 14, 2025

How Can You Tell the Giant Pandas Apart? ›

The Zoo's two giant pandas look quite similar to the untrained eye. Panda keeper Mariel Lally offers some tips you can use to spot the difference!

A giant panda looks into the camera while exploring his new indoor habitat area.
January 10, 2025

Giant Pandas Will Make Their Public Debut Jan. 24 at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute ›

On Jan. 24, giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao will make their public debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Giant panda Bao Li romps through the snow
January 08, 2025

See How the Pandas (And Other Animals) Enjoyed a Chilly Snow Day ›

Several inches of snowfall kept the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute closed to visitors, but the animals and their caretakers still had a good time!

A one-month-old pygmy slow loris baby crawls along a branch in the Small Mammal House.
December 18, 2024

Read Some of the Zoo’s Most Amazing Animal Stories of 2024 ›

This year was filled with incredible and heartwarming stories about the animals and the people who care for them. Enjoy a look back at some of the amazing things that happened this year.

A panda leans back and munches on bamboo on a carpet of orange-hued leaves.
December 10, 2024

To Keep the National Zoo’s Pandas Satisfied, Staff Prepare an Endless Supply of Bamboo ›

Take a look behind the scenes as animal care teams provide an endless bamboo buffet to the Zoo's new giant pandas.

Surrounded by leafy green bamboo, a female giant panda faces the camera in her indoor habitat.
November 06, 2024

How Keepers at Smithsonian's National Zoo Help Giant Pandas Feel at Home ›

A few weeks after their arrival, staff are helping giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao settle into their new home at Asia Trail.

A giant panda looks into the camera while exploring his new indoor habitat area.
October 15, 2024

Giant Pandas Arrive at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute From China ›

Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) Tuesday, Oct. 15

Two-year-old male giant panda Bao Li in his habitat at Shenshuping Base in Wolong, China, May 16.
September 17, 2024

David Rubenstein Donates $10 Million to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Giant Panda Program ›

David M. Rubenstein has pledged $10 million toward the Zoo’s $25 million campaign to fund the giant panda conservation program.

Two-year-old male giant panda Bao Li in his habitat at Shenshuping Base in Wolong, China, May 16.
May 29, 2024

Two New Giant Pandas Coming to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute From China by End of the Year ›

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo will welcome a new pair of giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, by the end of the year.

Zoo staff James Steeil, Laurie Thompson and Mariel Lally in China at Shenshuping campus, China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.
December 01, 2023

#PandaStory: A Happy Homecoming ›

Giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji are settling in nicely in their new home at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda’s ShenShuPing Campus.

The Zoo team that cared for the bears on their journey to China posing next to the three specialized travel crates containing Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji.
November 09, 2023

Giant Pandas Land Safely in China ›

Giant pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji touched down at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport after a 19-hour, 9,000 mile flight from Washington, D.C.

Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji eats bamboo in his outdoor habitat.
November 08, 2023

Giant Pandas Depart Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute for China ›

Giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji began their journey to China on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Giant panda Mei Xiang rests on a log in her outdoor habitat.
September 18, 2023

Media Advisory: Giant Pandas Celebrate Panda Palooza Beginning September 23 ›

Presentation of panda-friendly fruitsicle cakes to beloved giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji in celebration of Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell event.

Three cartoon pandas, representing Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji, are perched in a tree eating bamboo. The words Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell appear next to the image.
September 06, 2023

Smithsonian’s National Zoo Hosts Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell, Sept. 23 to Oct. 1 ›

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) will celebrate its three giant pandas before the bears depart for China later this year. Visitors are invited to join the Panda Palooza, a nine-day onsite and online series of events.

Tian Tian and Mei Xiang walk towards the camera with their mouths open.
September 01, 2023

The Official Super Ultimate Giant Panda Fan Quiz ›

Are you an extreme panda fan? Try not to get bamboo-zled by this hardcore quiz!

Tian Tian relaxes in the shade at the giant panda habitat.
August 27, 2023

Giant Panda Tian Tian Celebrates Birthday ›

Asia Trail keepers celebrated giant panda Tian Tian’s 26th birthday with a special panda-friendly fruitsicle cake.

Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji eats his third birthday cake.
August 21, 2023

Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji Celebrates Third Birthday ›

This morning, Asia Trail keepers celebrated giant panda Xiao Qi Ji’s third birthday at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat.

Giant Panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sticks his nose in his 2nd birthday ice cake on the rock formation in the front of an outdoor yard. The cake has a red 2 on the front and various colors on the side. Bamboo sticks out the top and back of the ice cake.
August 14, 2023

Media Advisory: Miracle Cub Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji's Birthday Celebration on Aug. 21 ›

The Smithsonian's National Zoo will celebrate "miracle cub" Xiao Qi Ji's 3rd birthday on Monday, Aug. 21.