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News from the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat
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Giant pandas are black and white bears that live in temperate-zone bamboo forests in central China. Among the best recognized—but rarest—animals in the world, they have come to symbolize endangered species and conservation efforts. As few as 1,600 giant pandas survive in the mountain forests of central China. More than 300 pandas live in zoos and breeding centers around the world; most of these pandas are in China.
Giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are at the National Zoo under a Giant Panda Cooperative Research and Breeding Agreement, signed in January 2011, between the Zoo and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. This extends the Zoo’s giant panda program through 2015. Mei and Tian are the focus of an ambitious research, conservation, and breeding program designed to preserve this endangered species.
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Watching giant pandas: The panda cams provide a window into the world of the Zoo's giant pandas—female Mei Xiang and male Tian Tian. There are only about 1,600 giant pandas living in the wild in China.
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Archived Giant Panda Videos
Tai Shan Exam, September 19, 2005 | Mei Xiang and Tai Shan, October 2, 2005 | Tai Shan Exam, October 31, 2005 | Mei and Tai, November 10, 2005 | Tai Shan’s First Year (Highlights)
January 13
As the winter progresses, we are becoming more and more optimistic that Mei Xiang is returning to a more species-typical estrus cycle. Giant panda females typically become fertile sometime between March and May, although Mei Xiang came into estrus in January for the past three breeding seasons. We are just now seeing her beginning to scent mark in her exhibit, and we will be watching closely for other tell-tale signs that she’s ready to breed, including bleating, restlessness, and water play.
Tian Tian is showing signs that he’s coming into rut, including patrolling his exhibit and scent marking. As Mei Xiang gets closer to peak estrus, these behaviors will escalate exponentially, and Tian Tian will be exploring every inch of his exhibit and scent marking everything in his path!
A new behavior study will start the week of January 15, and many behavior watch volunteers will be on hand to capture behavioral data about both Mei Xiang and Tian Tian on the web cameras. Web cam watchers may start to notice that the cameras will primarily follow one individual closely each day, alternating daily from one bear to the other – this is for data collection purposes.
The red panda sub-adults (they’re not cubs anymore!) Pili and Damini have stopped nursing and will soon be separated from their parents. Soon they will be moving back into their former indoor exhibit in the giant panda house. This will give their parents Shama and Tate some one-on-one time during red panda breeding season, and will once again give us two red panda exhibits—one outdoors and one indoors. Shama and Tate are most likely to be observed breeding in February, and building up to that visitors are likely to see an increase in playful chasing behavior.
We hope we will soon be hearing the pitter-patter of both giant panda and red panda cub paws in the summertime!
Get a Charming Panda Memento That Benefits FONZ
We are proud to introduce new jewelry whose sales benefit Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ). These gold and silver panda charms, perfect for every panda fan, make great necklace pendants or additions to a charm bracelet. And 50 percent of the net profits of the panda charm benefits FONZ.
Get a charm.
Get a FONZ Capital One Visa® Credit Card Featuring Our Pandas
Carry the card that keeps ongiving—the FONZ Capital One Visa® credit card, the only card that helps provide support for the National Zoo. Your card will feature one of our animals—a giant panda, an elephant, or cheetah cubs.
Find out more.
Support Panda Conservation
Support the National Zoo's panda conservation efforts with a donation to the Giant Panda Conservation Fund.
Don't Miss Out on Panda Souvenirs
National Zoo Stores—including our online store—offer an abundance of panda souvenirs: key chains, magnets, mugs, socks, plush pandas, T-shirts, and much more. As always, proceeds support the Zoo and members get a discount. Check out our panda boutique.
