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Giant panda News Archive
Feb. 16, 2017
At the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, giant pandas sit in their habitat munching contentedly on bamboo shoots. But, consider that giant pandas—native to China—were once on the brink of extinction. And,...
Feb. 06, 2017
Giant panda Bao Bao will depart the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China Feb. 21.
Jan. 18, 2017
Join the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for “Bye Bye, Bao Bao,” a series of online and on-site celebratory events to bid a fond farewell to giant panda Bao Bao (BOW-BOW) before she departs for China.
Jan. 10, 2017
Bei Bei is continuing to recover well from his major surgery, and he started eating small amounts of bamboo again a few weeks ago. He now gets several meals of leaf eater biscuits, sweet potatoes and...
Dec. 16, 2016
As Bei Bei recovers from surgery, his diet is slowly returning to normal but he still needs to wait until he can eat bamboo. However, he continues to gain weight, and has crossed the 100-pound (45...
Dec. 14, 2016
With temperatures dropping, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo continues to ensure that all of its animals are healthy and comfortable.
Nov. 25, 2016
Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s giant panda cub Bei Bei is stable and recovering following an emergency bowel obstruction surgery to remove a dense, masticated lemon-sized mass of bamboo.
Nov. 21, 2016
Bei Bei is becoming more and more independent from his mother Mei Xiang every day. It is hard to believe, but the time is rapidly approaching when he will live separately from her.
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. Of special note in Bei Bei's check-up, the team successfully collected blood and gave him two...
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 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. During a traditional Zhuazhou ceremony,...
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. 09, 2016
WHAT: A traditional Zhuazhou ceremony for giant panda cub Bei Bei. (Media opportunity only. Not open to the public. Public celebration for Bei Bei, Bao Bao and Tian Tian's birthday begins at 11 a.m.)
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. It's been a great learning experience...
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...
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. However, he has started to...
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, his...
Nov. 18, 2015
Bei Bei is a healthy 12.5 pound boy and he's on the move. Although he took his first steps, the rock work provided more traction than the slippery floor, so it will take him a little longer to figure...
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. However, Bei Bei still occasionally fusses after...