The Atlanta Zoo bids farewell to its four giant pandas as they return to China, while the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., eagerly awaits the arrival of a new pair of pandas from Chengdu, China. The pandas are 3 years old, a male named Bao Li and a female named Qing Bao, and are set to fill the void left at the National Zoo after the departure of the previous pair and their cub.
The departure of the Atlanta Zoo’s pandas marks the end of a 25-year stay for the pandas, which produced seven offspring during their time in the U.S. China retains control over the pandas and their progeny, as part of an agreement between the two countries to protect the vulnerable species.
Giant pandas are considered at risk due to loss and fragmentation of their habitat, but their population has increased in recent years, leading to a status change from “endangered” to “vulnerable.” The pandas serve as cultural ambassadors between the U.S. and China, fostering cooperation in conservation efforts.
The National Zoo’s new pandas will be placed in quarantine upon arrival and will not be ready for public viewing for over a month. The zoo’s director, Brandie Smith, expressed surprise at how quickly the new pandas were arranged to come to Washington, as she had initially expected a longer wait. The arrival of the new pandas symbolizes continued collaboration between the two countries in protecting this iconic species.
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