When D.C.’s last giant pandas were flown back to China (parents Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, and their three-year-old cub Xiao Qi Ji) after a joint research agreement between the US and China expired, marking what seemed like a permanent end to the era of panda diplomacy at D.C.’s National Zoo. This marked the first time in over 20 years that D.C. didn’t have any of these special fuzzy critters in town to call the district their home, and since then the the exhibit has remained empty.
But now, following an announcement from China’s President, Xi Jinping made during his visit to San Francisco this past November, that China is “ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation”. Fast forward to today and we now know that China will be sending a new group of Giant Pandas to the U.S. later this year, but sadly they are going to be heading to the San Diego Zoo rather than D.C.’s National Zoo. That being said, this development has nonetheless sparked the hearts of panda-loving Washingtonians and filled us with hope that our panda-less days may come to an end in the not-so-distant future.
Is Washington, D.C. going to get more Giant Pandas?
Currently, things are trending towards the answer being yes, which is a great sign! That being said, it has yet to be confirmed at this point. As of right now, the only new panda bears that are being sent to the U.S. are heading to San Diego, which is obviously quite far from D.C., but it marks a new era of panda diplomacy between the U.S. and China.
Fortunately, there is confirmation from Dr. Brandie Smith, director of the National Zoo, that talks between the Zoo and their Chinese research partner, the China Wildlife Conservation Association, have included discussions about D.C.’s role in the future giant panda program. So while this is not a confirmation that pandas are returning to D.C., it is an encouraging sign!
Why is the Panda Exhibit At The National Zoo being updated?
The panda exhibit at the National Zoo is currently undergoing what the associate director of planning, facilities, and exhibits, Mike Beglinger, referred to as a “facelift” which is expected to cost around $1.7 million in renovations. The updates underway are expected to include entirely new containment walls, faux rocks, and a list of brand-new amenities including a pool, a fully function waterfall, and even a climbing wall! The renovations are meant to be a proactive effort from the Zoo to ensure that if/when giant pandas do return to D.C., they will immediately be moved into a revamped facility that provides optimal conditions for the goals of the research partnership that once existed between the US and China.
While the construction is underway, the exhibit will remain empty, but with no clear timeline regarding when any giant pandas might return, there is a good chance the National Zoo may place other animals into the exhibit to make sure the space is being used to its fullest potential. While it’s unclear who or what would move into and fill the panda exhibit (and the hole in the hearts of Washingtonians) until D.C. has pandas again, according to Beglinger, it may be “the red panda’s time”.