Bao Bao Will Make Her Public Debut Jan. 18

After four months of watching her grow on the panda cams, visitors to the Smithsonian's National Zoo will be able to visit Bao Bao starting Jan. 18. Members of Friends of the National Zoo will be able to visit Bao Bao exclusively at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat from Jan. 11 to Jan. 17.

The amount of time Bao Bao and her mother Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) will be on exhibit each day will depend on the bears' behavior. In the first few weeks they may not be on exhibit for long periods of time; they will spend more time on exhibit as Bao Bao gets older. They will also have access to the den, where Bao Bao has spent much of the past few months, and may choose to spend time in it instead of in public viewing areas.

The Zoo will provide more information and updates about Bao Bao's debut as the date draws nearer through Facebook, Twitter and the Giant Panda Update e-newsletter.

The Zoo's panda cams are sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund.

Related Species:

Continue Exploring

July 31, 2025

Secrets of Summer Panda Life

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

May 16, 2025

The Bears and the Bleats

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.

January 24, 2025

Two New Giant Pandas Debut

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