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Latest Panda News
Oct. 20, 2016
Giant panda Bao Bao will depart the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China in late winter, within the first few months of 2017.
Oct. 20, 2016
Read on for some of the most frequently asked questions about Bao Bao's departure.
Oct. 14, 2016
Our veterinary team visited the giant panda habitat last week for routine checkups on all of the pandas.
Sep. 23, 2016
One of the defining and iconic characteristics that makes giant pandas unique among bears is their diet -- bamboo.
Sep. 07, 2016
Over Labor Day weekend, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released excellent news about its Red List of Threatened Species.
Aug. 20, 2016
The National Zoo and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China celebrated giant panda cub Bei Bei's (BAY-BAY) first birthday this morning with a Zhuazhou (dra-JO) ceremony.
Aug. 20, 2016
The Zoo and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China celebrated giant panda cub Bei Bei's first birthday this morning with a Zhuazhou (dra-JO) ceremony.
Aug. 09, 2016
WHAT: A traditional Zhuazhou ceremony for giant panda cub Bei Bei. (Media opportunity only. Not open to the public.
Apr. 19, 2016
Bei Bei's still growing like a weed! He was 37 pounds as of March 17 and growing daily. We have started very basic training with him.
Feb. 12, 2016
As some of our panda cam viewers may have noticed, we've made some changes at the panda house recently. Each giant panda requires an individualized care plan.
Jan. 21, 2016
On behalf of the entire Zoo, we'd like to thank the 7,498 people who traveled far and wide to meet Bei Bei last Saturday! The panda house is now open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jan. 11, 2016
Representatives from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute helped lead a Giant Panda Laboratory Diagnostic International Exchange Training workshop with staff from the China Conservation... read more
Dec. 10, 2015
As of December 7, Bei Bei weighed about 16 pounds (7.32 kg). Even though he's grown exponentially over the last few months, he still won't be eating bamboo for a while.
Dec. 01, 2015
During a routine exam on Monday November 30, Bei Bei weighed 15 pounds (6.89 kg)! He's getting more difficult to weigh now that he is trying to climb out of the weighing tub! In stark comparison, h
Nov. 12, 2015
This morning, Bei Bei weighed 5.35 kilograms, or 11.79 pounds.
Nov. 04, 2015
When last weighed on Friday October 30, Bei Bei was 9.5 pounds! Since he is growing so rapidly, we know for certain that he is getting enough to eat.
Oct. 14, 2015
On October 8, vets performed an exam on Bei Bei. He weighed in at 5.9 pounds. His eyes are now fully open and he is getting more active and rambunctious.
Oct. 09, 2015
Look at those toes! Our favorite panda cam shot from our #PandaStory Flickr album this week was from user partipersian.
Oct. 09, 2015
Yesterday, before Bei Bei's full veterinary exam our chief veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer settled the little panda cub by massaging two pressure points at the base of his skull.
Oct. 07, 2015
Keepers had a chance to weigh Bei Bei on Thursday, October 1, when Mei Xiang left her den to eat. He now weighs about 5 lbs. This is an increase of a pound since he was weighed last week!
Oct. 05, 2015
The classic nose to nose nuzzle! Thanks to Janet Crouse for sharing. Post fav cam screenshots of#BeiBeiand Mei Xiang to our#PandaStoryFlickr group. We'll share a great one each week!
Oct. 01, 2015
Q: What do we call a giant panda cub sneeze? A: Bei Bei choo! #PandaStory #BeiBei @michelleobama @smithsonian
Sep. 30, 2015
Keepers had a chance to weigh Bei Bei on Monday, Sept. 28, when Mei Xiang left her den to eat. He now weighs 1,850 grams, or 4 lbs!
Sep. 25, 2015
This morning, our giant panda cub received his name: Bei Bei or 贝贝 (BAY-BAY)!