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 last three pandas are getting ready to go home. Officials plan to send the bears to China in December 2023.
One of the pandas, Xiao Qi Ji, just turned three years old. His parents are Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. Those parents have been at the zoo since 2000. At first, the bears were supposed to stay for 10 years. Officials let them stay for longer, though.
Now, zoo experts plan to send the pandas to China by December 7. All wild giant pandas live in China’s bamboo forests. It’s almost time for the National Zoo’s pandas to go back home.
China’s government has often sent away pandas to make friendships with other countries. Experts call these acts “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. After the meeting, China gave two bears to Nixon’s wife, first lady Pat Nixon. Those pandas were named 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. Any panda cubs born in zoos outside of China would also belong to China. Today, panda cubs must be sent back before they turn four years old.
After the National Zoo’s pandas leave for China, only one U.S. zoo will have giant pandas for the time being. That’s the Atlanta Zoo in Georgia. Four pandas live there now — adults Lun Lun and Yang Yang, and their cubs, Ya Lun and Xi Lun. The pandas will likely return to China sometime next year.
Updated August 30, 2023, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Tyler Burdick
