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Purchase Panda Cam, a book with images of Tai Shan's first seven months, at the National Zoo Store.
News from the Fujifilm 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 160 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 on a ten-year loan from the China Wildlife Conservation Association. They are the focus of an ambitious research, conservation, and breeding program designed to preserve this endangered species.
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Due to a lot of visitors to this page, you may be unable to watch camera one. If you are unable to connect, try camera two. Today we are limiting sessions to five minutes to allow more people to view the cam. If you are unable to connect, try the other cam or try again later. |
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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.
Giant Panda Facts | 
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More Giant Panda cams
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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)
See Tai Shan in China
Take a fascinating tour of Chinese wildlife and culture with the Zoo's panda curator. Travelers will see Beijing, the Great Wall, Xian's ancient terracotta warriors, the Olympic Village, Shanghai, and lots and lots of pandas, including Tai Shan. The itinerary also features the finest restaurants in north and south China. 
Get details about this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
June 23
It is very quiet around the panda house these days. The summer heat has descended and our pandas have settled into their pattern of longer naps and much shorter bouts of feeding. Gone are the hours of stripping the culm, or stalks, of bamboo. Now Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are selectively consuming the leaves, if only for a few minutes, before returning to their naps.
The increase in temperatures is tolerated by pandas by using the micro climates in their enclosures. These include the air-conditioned and radiant water-chilled grottos, the shade under trees, and the pools. The foggers also help to provide a brief cooler experience for the animals and people along the trails. However, when the temperatures so cruelly soar over 90, only the air-conditioned indoor areas bring comfort to pandas and people. This is a great time to see the giant pandas up close, indoors. Currently the panda entrance off the lower trail is closed, so visitors may only enter through the exit, nearest the Olmsted Walk side of the building.
This is also the time of year when we give our pandas the opportunity to socialize. Introductions will begin over the next week, on hopefully much cooler early mornings. The direct interaction provides both mental stimulation and physical fitness, as play translates into exercise.
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, a clouded leopard, an Asian elephant, a western lowland gorilla photos.
Get Tai Shan Wallpaper When You Donate
Support the National Zoo's panda conservation efforts, and get lots of Tai Shan wallpaper and a screen saver as thanks for your donation to the Giant Panda Conservation Fund.
Don't Miss Out on Tai Shan Memorabilia
Our stores offer great ways to remember this very special bear: commemorative key chains, magnets, mugs, socks, plush pandas, and T-shirts. As always, proceeds support the Zoo and members get a discount. Check out our Tai Shan merchandise.
See a slideshow of Tai Shan photos from birth through his farewell celebration.
Send a Tai Shan e-card to friends.
