Giant Panda News

Recent News

Earthquake Damages Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center, Donors Provide Relief (May 2008)
An earthquake that devastated parts of China severely damaged the Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center (where our two adult giant pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, were born) and associated panda reserves.

Zoo Atlanta Panda Gives Birth (September 6, 2006)
Lun Lun, Zoo Atlanta's nine-year-old female giant panda, gave birth to a cub on September 6. This is Atlanta's first panda birth, and the fifth panda birth in the United States in the past six years.

Panda Sanctuary Added to World Heritage List (July 2006)
The home of one-third of the world's giant panda population has been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List.

San Diego Zoo Panda Gives Birth (August 2, 2005)
Bai Yun, the San Diego Zoo's 13-year-old panda, gave birth to a cub on August 2. Her first cub, Hua Mei, born in 1999, gave birth to twins in China last year. Her second cub, Mei Sheng, was born in 2003. This is the first time both coasts are home to panda cubs.

Giant Panda Expectations 2005 (July 2005)
After closely monitoring Mei Xiang's hormones and behavior, Zoo scientists determined that the 2005 mating season would begin March 10. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian did not mate successfully, but Mei Xiang was artificially inseminated with Tian Tian's semen on the morning of March 11. Mei Xiang gave birth to a male cub on July 9.

Ancient Tomb Held Panda Bone (February 2005)
Archaeologists recently concluded that a bone discovered in a 4,000-year-old tomb in central China belonged to a giant panda.

Census Finds More Giant Pandas in the Wild (June 2004)
China's forests are home to 1,590 giant pandas, 40 percent more than previously thought, a Chinese government survey shows.

Zoo Breaks New Ground for David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat and Asia Trail (April 28, 2004)
The Zoo, FONZ, and Fujifilm broke new ground today, April 28, on the future site of the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat, the first step in a ten-year renovation of the Zoo.

April 2004 Is Panda Month (April 2004)
To celebrate the giant panda breeding season and the groundbreaking on the new David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat, April has been proclaimed "Panda Month" by the District of Columbia. Activities and promotions will run all month long.

The National Zoo, FONZ, and Fujifilm Celebrated the Five-millionth Visitor to the Giant Panda Conservation Habitat (July 15, 2003)
Susan Goi, a visitor from Singapore was the lucky visitor to be named the symbolic five millionth.

Fujifilm Cameras Donated to Zoo Scientists (May 2003)
Fujifilm recently donated two digital cameras to document panda activity both at the National Zoo and overseas.

2003 Giant Pandas Breeding Season Over
(April 7, 2003)

(April 2003)
Zoo giant pandas Tian Tian and Mei Xiang mated once, for a brief 15 seconds, on April 4, raising a slender hope that a baby panda may soon be in our midst. Unfortunately, available tests can't tell whether a female panda is pregnant or pseudo-pregnant, and the time from mating to giving birth may vary from 95 to 180 days. Zoo scientists continue to chart hormonal changes and monitor behavior for clues to the progress of a possible pregnancy.

There's good news out of China on wild giant pandas. (Spring 2003)
Scientists recently found six giant pandas — five adults and a cub — in a reserve in Shaanxi province, just north of Sichuan where the majority of pandas live. It being the 2003 breeding season, the males were reportedly fighting to mate with a female. Another five pandas were spotted the next day, but it's not clear whether these were some of the same individuals.

Winner of Fujifilm's "Meet the Pandas" Sweepstakes (April 2003)

(October 2002)
Newly published research reveals that the circadian rhythms and activity patterns in Mei Xiang and Tian Tian seem to mirror that of the Zoo's former panda residents Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing and other pandas observed in captivity.

Factors associated with normal breeding behavior in male giant pandas in Chinese breeding centers
(October 2002)
Research Indicates that normal breeding behavior in male giant pandas is more likely in China due to exposure to femal pandas throughout the year, privacy in their environment and interaction with animal care staff, among other factors.

Giant Panda Reunion
July 25, 2002
Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, who had been separated following Mei's possible spring estrus period, were reunited on July 25, 2002. Their playful interactions, as well as their ease in eating and resting together, indicated to keepers that the pair can once again get together daily.

Research Symposium Summary
January 15-16, 2002
A giant panda research symposium held at the National Zoo January 15 and 16, 2002 entitled "GIANT PANDAS AND THE NATIONAL ZOO: From The First Year Into The Future" was a fascinating look at what scientists are most curious about with regard to the species. Find out for yourself what questions are being investigated.

National Zoo Names Giant Panda Exhibit to Honor FUJIFILM'S $7.8 Million Donation to Support Pandas and Conservation Education
January 10, 2002
Plans are underway for the construction of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian's future home, officially named the "Fujifilm Giant Panda Conservation Habitat." A larger space with more climbing trees and water reflects the panda's preferences in their current habitat.