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Latest Panda News

panda eating
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.
Bei Bei
Oct. 14, 2016
Our veterinary team visited the giant panda habitat last week for routine checkups on all of the pandas.
giant panda Bao Bao with corn stalk
Sep. 23, 2016
One of the defining and iconic characteristics that makes giant pandas unique among bears is their diet -- bamboo.
Giant Panda Bei Bei
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.
Giant panda Mei Xiang selects the Zhuazhou symbolizing luck and friendship on behalf of Bei Bei
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.
Mei Xiang with Zhuazhou poster for luck and friendship
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.
bei bei climbing a tree
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.
Mei and Bei Bei at the entrance to their enclosure
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.
Bei Bei in a box playing with balls
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. 
two female cientists look over data
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
Bei Bei
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.
Bei Bei face down on a blue table cloth
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
Bei Bei poking his head out of a plastic basket
Nov. 18, 2015
Bei Bei is a healthy 12.5 pound boy and he's on the move.
Bei Bei on a table
Nov. 12, 2015
This morning, Bei Bei weighed 5.35 kilograms, or 11.79 pounds.
Bei Bei in a plastic bin
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.
panda cub Bei Bei held by vets
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.
Bei Bei
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#BeiBei˜and Mei Xiang to our#PandaStory˜Flickr 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 ​
panda cub asleep
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!
Bei Bei naming announcement
Sep. 25, 2015
This morning, our giant panda cub received his name: Bei Bei or 贝贝 (BAY-BAY)!