China’s Pandas Heading Home

Three giant pandas in the United States get ready for a big trip to Asia.

The three bears are heading back to China this year.
The three bears are heading back to China this year.

They’re cute! They’re furry! They’re about to say “bye!” The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., has three giant pandas. But the bears are going home. Officials plan to send them to China in December.

One of the pandas is Xiao Qi Ji. He just turned three years old. His parents are Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. Zoo experts plan to send the pandas to China by December 7. All wild giant pandas live in China’s bamboo forests.

China’s government has often sent away pandas. Officials do that to make friendships. Experts call this “panda diplomacy.” One big example of panda diplomacy happened in 1972. U.S. President Richard Nixon met with leaders in China. It was the first time that U.S. officials and Chinese officials had talked in 25 years. China gave two pandas to first lady Pat Nixon. Those pandas were Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling. They went to the National Zoo.

In 1984, China changed its panda rules. The country would no longer send bears as gifts. Instead, China would loan the bears. Today, panda cubs must go back before they turn four.

Soon, only one U.S. zoo will have giant pandas. That’s the Atlanta Zoo in Georgia. Four pandas live there now. They are adults Lun Lun and Yang Yang and cubs Ya Lun and Xi Lun. The pandas will likely return to China next year.


Updated August 30, 2023, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Tyler Burdick

Animals
The three bears are heading back to China this year.
The three bears are heading back to China this year.

China’s Pandas Heading Home

Three giant pandas in the United States get ready for a big trip to Asia.

They’re cute! They’re furry! They’re about to say “bye!” The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., has three giant pandas. But the bears are going home. Officials plan to send them to China in December.

One of the pandas is Xiao Qi Ji. He just turned three years old. His parents are Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. Zoo experts plan to send the pandas to China by December 7. All wild giant pandas live in China’s bamboo forests.

China’s government has often sent away pandas. Officials do that to make friendships. Experts call this “panda .” One big example of panda diplomacy happened in 1972. U.S. President Richard Nixon met with leaders in China. It was the first time that U.S. officials and Chinese officials had talked in 25 years. China gave two pandas to first lady Pat Nixon. Those pandas were Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling. They went to the National Zoo.

In 1984, China changed its panda rules. The country would no longer send bears as gifts. Instead, China would the bears. Today, panda cubs must go back before they turn four.

Soon, only one U.S. zoo will have giant pandas. That’s the Atlanta Zoo in Georgia. Four pandas live there now. They are adults Lun Lun and Yang Yang and cubs Ya Lun and Xi Lun. The pandas will likely return to China next year.

Updated August 30, 2023, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Tyler Burdick

Animals
The three bears are heading back to China this year.
The three bears are heading back to China this year.

They’re cute! They’re furry! They’re about to say “bye!” The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., has three giant pandas. But the bears are going home. Officials plan to send them to China in December.

One of the pandas is Xiao Qi Ji. He just turned three years old. His parents are Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. Zoo experts plan to send the pandas to China by December 7. All wild giant pandas live in China’s bamboo forests.

China’s government has often sent away pandas. Officials do that to make friendships. Experts call this “panda .” One big example of panda diplomacy happened in 1972. U.S. President Richard Nixon met with leaders in China. It was the first time that U.S. officials and Chinese officials had talked in 25 years. China gave two pandas to first lady Pat Nixon. Those pandas were Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling. They went to the National Zoo.

In 1984, China changed its panda rules. The country would no longer send bears as gifts. Instead, China would the bears. Today, panda cubs must go back before they turn four.

Soon, only one U.S. zoo will have giant pandas. That’s the Atlanta Zoo in Georgia. Four pandas live there now. They are adults Lun Lun and Yang Yang and cubs Ya Lun and Xi Lun. The pandas will likely return to China next year.

Updated August 30, 2023, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Tyler Burdick

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Giant pandas live in south central China’s forests. They love snacking on bamboo! U.S. President Richard Nixon (left) with a Chinese official in 1972 Xiao Qi Ji just had his third birthday!
Giant pandas live in south central China’s forests.
They love snacking on bamboo!
U.S. President Richard Nixon (left) with a Chinese official in 1972
Xiao Qi Ji just had his third birthday!

Fact

The United States wasn’t the only country to get giant pandas from China. Before 1984, other countries to get the bears included the United Kingdom, France, North Korea, the Soviet Union, Japan, Spain, and Mexico.

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Sources

Photo Credits:
Cover: TASOS KATOPODIS/UPI/Shutterstock
Article: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
Slide 1: Shutterstock
Slide 2: Shutterstock
Slide 3: Public Domain
Slide 4: Xinhua/Shutterstock
Video: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute

Citations:
“Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji Celebrates Third Birthday.” Smithsonian’s National Zoo. 21 Aug. 2023.

Holland, Brynn. “Panda Diplomacy: The World’s Cutest Ambassadors.” History. 9 May 2023.

Kraus, Charles. “Nixon’s 1972 Visit to China at 50.” The Wilson Center. 21 Feb. 2022.

Lewis, Danny. “Giant Pandas Are No Longer Endangered but Are Still in Danger.” Smithsonian. 6 Sept. 2016.

Parker, Alexandra. “Two giant pandas expected to leave Zoo Atlanta in early 2024.” Atlanta News First. 18 April 2023.

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Author

Tyler Burdick
Tyler was born and raised in New York. He enjoys snacking on nachos and reading science fiction and fantasy novels. Tyler also loves playing with his dog, Chaucer.

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The three bears are heading back to China this year.
Animals
China’s Pandas Heading Home

Three giant pandas in the United States get ready for a big trip to Asia.

They’re cute! They’re furry! And they’re about to say “goodbye!” For many years, giant pandas have been a popular sight at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. But now, its …

August 30, 2023
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