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Giant panda News Archive
Apr. 01, 2015
Bao Bao explored her new yard for the very first time this morning! She spent over an hour outside checking out her new digs.
Mar. 06, 2015
This update was written by panda keeper Nicole MacCorkle.
Mar. 03, 2015
This past weekend brought lots of news for giant pandas around the world, and our three bears at the National Zoo.
Feb. 19, 2015
It's hard to believe, but Bao Bao is almost 18 months old! Eighteen months is a big milestone for giant panda cubs because they stop nursing and start living separately from their mothers.
Jan. 06, 2015
Today was Bao Bao's first time playing in the snow outside! And she was quite the little snow panda. She spent her morning tumbling down the hill in her yard, climbing and sliding down trees and...
Oct. 01, 2014
Morgan Maly is a graduate student at North Carolina State University working on her master’s thesis in conjunction with Dr.
Aug. 23, 2014
The National Zoo and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China celebrated giant panda cub Bao Bao's first birthday this morning with a Zhuazhou (dra-JO) ceremony.
Aug. 19, 2014
The past year at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat has been a very special one. We've been able to watch Mei Xiang raise a cub from the first moments of her birth, when she was pink...
Aug. 11, 2014
Bao Bao can't stay out of the spotlight! The Smithsonian is having a showdown, giving YOU the chance to vote for the top Smithsonian icon!
Jul. 23, 2014
We celebrated Mei Xiang's birthday yesterday at the panda habitat. She turned 16 and received a special frozen treat for some extra enrichment. The next birthday we'll be celebrating is Bao Bao's!
May. 22, 2014
We've received many questions from our many curious panda fans! In this panda update, keeper Nicole MacCorkle answers questions we have received.What is in the paper bags that you give the pandas?
Apr. 21, 2014
It's been a busy few weeks at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. Bao Bao is now going outside with Mei Xiang regularly in the morning.
Apr. 01, 2014
It was an exciting day at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat! Bao Bao made her first excursion outside with Mei Xiang.
Mar. 31, 2014
Bao Bao may be exploring the great outdoors soon! Bao Bao will have access to her mother Mei Xiang's larger yard this week beginning each day around 8 a.m., weather depending.
Feb. 13, 2014
One of the keys to raising a healthy giant panda cub is mother's milk. Since her birth on August 23, Bao Bao has grown from 4.8 ounces to just over 20 pounds.
Jan. 31, 2014
This update was written by giant panda keeper Nicole MacCorkle.
Jan. 15, 2014
Bao Bao is proving to be most active in the early mornings and in the midafternoon. Today she and Mei Xiang enjoyed an extended play session inside the panda house.
Jan. 10, 2014
This panda update was written by keeper Nicole MacCorkle.
Jan. 06, 2014
After four months of watching her grow on the panda cams, visitors to the Smithsonian's National Zoo will be able to visit Bao Bao starting January 18.