Panda Memories Terms and Conditions

Note: As of October 2023, the Zoo's Panda Memories submission form is now closed. Thank you for your interest.

For more than 50 years, the pandas at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute have brought cherished memories to visitors of all ages. These iconic bears have sparked personal joy for millions and encouraged meaningful action on behalf of endangered species across the globe.

The Smithsonian invites you to share your personal story celebrating Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, Xiao Qi Ji and the rest of the pandas who have called Washington D.C. home for more than 50 years. Panda Memories will feature images, videos and stories from the community on our website and social media channels.

To participate, complete the form with your story accompanied by an image or video (if applicable) and select the boxes to agree to the following terms and conditions:

• You are at least 18 years old. (If you are under the age of 18, you must submit your story through a parent or legal guardian.)
• Submit only what is yours to share, so that the Smithsonian may use your submission without the need for any additional permissions. Do not submit other people’s copyrighted material or information. (Important exception: If you are a parent or legal guardian submitting on behalf of your child or ward, mention that in your email.)
• Submit only what you are comfortable with sharing publicly.  Do not submit personal or other information that you would not want made public.
• Understand that if the Smithsonian shares your story publicly on social media sites, those operate independently of the Smithsonian and user commentary with which you disagree could be associated with your story. If selected for use in the Panda Memories project, the Smithsonian will only post online your first name and last initial.
• However, personal (contact) information Smithsonian collects from this site will be subject to guidelines specified in the Smithsonian Institution's Privacy Statement.
• By making a submission, you are giving the Smithsonian permission to use it in whole or part in connection with this public storytelling initiative, as well as standard museum uses such as exhibitions, public programming, archival use, research, philanthropic-fundraising, publications, publicity, websites, and social media uses on Smithsonian platforms and on those where the Smithsonian maintains a presence. At the end of the Panda Memories project, the Contribution will be archived or disposed of according to then-applicable Smithsonian record retention and archiving policies and practices.
• Do not submit files that contain anything harmful on them (e.g. computer viruses), or stories that are off-topic, partisan-political, or use expletives, or that otherwise violate the rules outlined on the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page, which are incorporated here by reference. You are solely responsible for your submission and any consequences of submitting it. The Smithsonian shall not be responsible or liable for any breach of these terms and conditions by you, claims by a third party that your submission violates the third party’s rights, or claims by you that a third party is misusing your submission.

Once you make a submission, the Smithsonian reviews it for compliance with these rules. The Smithsonian may, but is not obliged to, edit submissions for grammar, spelling, and/or insignificant profanity. The Smithsonian is under no obligation to keep, share, or in any way use any submission. The Smithsonian also may contact you to request additional information about your story.

If you have questions about any aspect of these terms and conditions, you may contact the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Communications Office at the following address for clarification: zoocommunications@si.edu