Giant Panda Program Media Resources
Media members can find photos, fact sheets, B-roll, and other resources about the Giant Panda Program at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Jump to:
Background and FAQs | Press Releases | B-roll | Giant Panda Family | Panda Products | Photo Use and Media Gallery
For media inquiries, including to be added to our media list, email ZooSCBIcommunications@si.edu.
Background and FAQ's
Press Releases
Visit the news release archive to search for other press releases on the giant panda program.
Giant Pandas Arrive From China
- Giant Pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao Arrive at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute From China
- Two New Giant Pandas Coming to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute From China by End of 2024
Departure of Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji
- Giant Pandas Depart Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute for China
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo Hosts Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell, Sept. 23 to Oct. 1
Giant Panda Cooperative Research and Breeding Agreement Press Releases
The Zoo entered into its first Giant Panda Cooperative Research and Breeding Agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) in December 2000 when giant pandas Mei Xiang (female) and Tian Tian (male) arrived at the Zoo. The initial agreement between the Zoo and CWCA was a 10-year agreement and has been renewed three times since 2010.
Giant Panda Cub Births
- Xiao Qi Ji | Aug. 21, 2020
Additional media resources on giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji - Bei Bei | Aug. 22, 2015
- Bao Bao | Aug. 23, 2013
Giant Panda Departures for China
- Bei Bei | Nov. 19, 2019
- Bao Bao | Feb. 21, 2017
- Tai Shan | Dec. 27, 2009
- Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji | Nov. 8, 2023
First Ladies of United States and China Name Giant Panda Cub at the Zoo
B-roll
Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao disembark the FedEx "Panda Express" at Dulles International Airport Oct. 15, 2024. A forklift carefully carries a panda in its transport crate to its new habitat at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Male and female giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao in their Zoo habitats.
Credit: FedEx and Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library.
Giant Pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
Bao Li
- Adult male
- Born Aug. 4, 2021
- In Mandarin Chinese, "Bao" means 'precious' and 'treasure'. "Li" refers to vitality and strength. Put together, "Bao Li" means an active and vital power.
- Arrived at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on Oct. 15, 2024
Qing Bao
- Adult female
- Born Sept. 12, 2021
- Her name means 'green' and 'treasure' in Mandarin Chinese. 'Qing' evokes the lush and mountainous habitat of pandas. 'Bao,' which means 'precious' and 'treasure,' reflects how cherished and adored she is.
- Arrived at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on Oct. 15, 2024
Giant Pandas Formerly at the Zoo
- Adult male
- Name means “more and more”
- Born Aug. 27, 1997
- Arrived at Smithsonian’s National Zoo Dec. 6, 2000, on loan from China
- Departed for China Nov. 8, 2023
- Currently lives at the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve (Shenshuping Panda Base) in Sichuan, China.
- Weight as of March 2022: 271.92 pounds (123.6 kilograms)
- He has sired four cubs: male Tai Shan, female Bao Bao, male Bei Bei and male Xiao Qi Ji. See below for more information on each cub.
- Adult female
- Name means “beautiful fragrance”
- Born July 22, 1998
- Arrived at Smithsonian’s National Zoo Dec. 6, 2000, on loan from China
- Weight as of March 2022: 246.4 pounds (112 kilograms)
- She has given birth to four cubs: male Tai Shan, female Bao Bao, male Bei Bei and male Xiao Qi Ji. See below for more information on each cub.
- Departed for China Nov. 8, 2023
- Currently lives at the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve (Shenshuping Panda Base) in Sichuan, China.
- With the birth of her most recent cub (Xiao Qi Ji) at 22 years old, Mei Xiang is the oldest giant panda to give birth in the United States and the second oldest documented in the world. This is also the first time a Zoo in the United States has experienced a successful pregnancy and birth via artificial insemination using only frozen semen.
- Adult male
- Name means “Little Miracle”
- Born Aug. 21, 2020, at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
- Weight as of March 2022: 117.48 pounds (53.4 kilograms)
- Departed for China Nov. 8, 2023
- Currently lives at the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve (Shenshuping Panda Base) in Sichuan, China.
- Adult male
- Name means “peaceful mountain”
- Born July 9, 2005, at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
- Departed for China Feb. 4, 2010
- Currently lives at the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve (Shenshuping Panda Base) in Sichuan, China.
- He has sired one cub, an unnamed male born Aug. 19, 2020.
- Adult female
- Name means “precious treasure”
- Born Aug. 23, 2013, at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
- Departed for China Feb. 21, 2017
- Currently lives at the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve (Shenshuping Panda Base) in Sichuan, China.
- She has given birth to three cubs—a female born July 29, 2020 and twin males born Aug. 4, 2021.
- Adult male
- Name means “precious, treasure”
- Born Aug. 22, 2015, at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
- Departed Nov. 19, 2019
- Currently lives at BiFengXia Panda Base in Ya’an, China.
Panda Products
Meet the Pandas: Smithsonian Store
Discover our collection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, mugs and other limited edition gear while supporting conservation. Now available in color!
Photo/Video Use
Media (news) outlets may use the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s giant panda cub photos/videos for news purposes only with credit to Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Approved purposes include: print/online articles, broadcast reports and social media feeds.
Filmmakers that wish to use giant panda cub photos/videos in a documentary must receive approval from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and the Smithsonian Film Committee. There may be a licensing fee associated with this request. Fill out the Filming Request Form here.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Giant Panda Cam may not be streamed live on any non-Smithsonian website or social media platform. The Giant Panda Cam is copywritten to the Smithsonian Institution and does not fall under the Smithsonian’s Open Access policy. Media/Individuals that intend to share the Giant Panda Cam with their audiences must direct them to nationalzoo.si.edu with credit to Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
Download Photos
Below are high-resolution photos available to download for media purposes. For individual photo captions, see slideshow at the top of the page.
Image Gallery
Mei Xiang and cub Tai Shan
Mei Xiang
Mei Xiang and cub Bao Bao
Mei Xiang and cub Bei Bei
Mei Xiang and cub Xiao Qi Ji
Tian Tian
Tian TIan
Tian Tian
Tai Shan
Tai Shan
Tai Shan
Bao Bao
Bao Bao
Bao Bao
Bei Bei
Bei Bei
Bei Bei
Xiao Qi Ji
Xiao Qi Ji
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji on Jan. 6, 2021.
Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing
Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing
Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian
Sept. 25, 2015. First Lady of the U.S. Michelle Obama hosted First Lady of the People's Republic of China Peng Liyuan at the Zoo to commemorate over four decades of scientific collaboration between the U.S. and China around giant panda conservation. They selected the name "Bei Bei" for the giant panda cub born at the Zoo Aug. 22, 2015. Third-grade students from the Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School assisted the First Ladies by unfurling the scrolls to reveal the cub's name.
Animal care staff build trust with the Zoo’s giant pandas through positive reinforcement training. This enables the bears to voluntarily participate in their own health care. Keepers and veterinarians examine the pandas, administer medications and conduct medical procedures while they are awake, lessening the need for anesthesia. When the pandas do the behaviors asked of them, they receive verbal praise and a favorite treat, such as honey water.
Every day, the Zoo’s giant pandas receive a variety of enrichment items and activities, which help them keep physically active and mentally sharp. They also encourage the bears to use their natural behaviors. Enrichment can be anything from sensory experiences (spices for scent-anointing or bubbles for popping) to physical objects and toys (puzzle feeders), to social interactions (painting with keepers) and environmental stimuli (exploring a different habitat).
Every day, the Zoo’s giant pandas receive a variety of enrichment items and activities, which help them keep physically active and mentally sharp. They also encourage the bears to use their natural behaviors. Enrichment can be anything from sensory experiences (spices for scent-anointing or bubbles for popping) to physical objects and toys (puzzle feeders), to social interactions (painting with keepers) and environmental stimuli (exploring a different habitat).
The giant panda team takes care of the Zoo’s giant pandas every day—including weekends, holidays and during bad weather. Their daily duties include monitoring the bears’ behavior, preparing their diets, readying their enrichment, conducting training sessions, collecting urine and fecal samples for scientists to study and cleaning their habitats. Keepers log details about each panda’s activities in their daily reports to track their health and activity trends.
The giant panda team takes care of the Zoo’s giant pandas every day—including weekends, holidays and during bad weather. Their daily duties include monitoring the bears’ behavior, preparing their diets, readying their enrichment, conducting training sessions, collecting urine and fecal samples for scientists to study and cleaning their habitats. Keepers log details about each panda’s activities in their daily reports to track their health and activity trends.
Every day, the Zoo’s giant pandas receive a variety of enrichment items and activities, which help them keep physically active and mentally sharp. They also encourage the bears to use their natural behaviors. Enrichment can be anything from sensory experiences (spices for scent-anointing or bubbles for popping) to physical objects and toys (puzzle feeders), to social interactions (painting with keepers) and environmental stimuli (exploring a different habitat).
Jan. 27, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji had his first taste of bamboo this week!
The giant panda team takes care of the Zoo’s giant pandas every day—including weekends, holidays and during bad weather. Their daily duties include monitoring the bears’ behavior, preparing their diets, readying their enrichment, conducting training sessions, collecting urine and fecal samples for scientists to study and cleaning their habitats. Keepers log details about each panda’s activities in their daily reports to track their health and activity trends.
Giant pandas bring colleagues from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and China together for a common goal: advancing global scientific knowledge of the species. Comprehensive workshops and hands-on training courses in medicine, surgery, anesthesia, imaging and field healthcare enable scientists to share expertise and build skills.
First Lady Patricia Nixon at the Zoo on April 20, 1972, for the official welcome ceremony for giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, a gift from China to the American people. The panda pair first arrived at the Zoo on Sunday, April 16, 1972. Photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
Giant pandas Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing first arrived at the Zoo on Sunday, April 16, 1972. This White House press release provides details on the April 20, 1972 ceremony when First Lady Patricia Nixon officially welcomed giant pandas Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing accompanied by Dr. Theodore Reed, director of the Zoo, and Smithsonian Secretary S. Dillon Ripley. Photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
To ensure the future of the species, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute scientists have become experts in facilitating giant panda reproduction.
Ecologist Mel Songer and Professor Lui Xuehua working with a team of Tsinghua University students and rangers from Foping National Nature Reserve to collect data on vegetation, climate, and locations of giant pandas and other wildlife species that share their ecosystem.
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientist Dr. JoGayle Howard was a leader in understanding the reproductive biology of the world’s beloved giant panda. Her studies along with Chinese and American colleagues helped identify the causes of poor reproduction in giant pandas in breeding centers and zoos, which helped contribute to a panda population explosion over the past decade. With Chinese colleagues, she developed new protocols for sperm cryopreservation and artificial insemination.
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientist Dr. Dave Wildt (left) speaks with Dr. Li Desheng from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda during Mei Xiang's artificial insemination Apr. 29, 2012. A seminal leader in conservation biology, Wildt's prolific breakthroughs in reproductive biology and population genetics benefitted wildlife enormously.
First Lady Patricia Nixon at the Zoo on April 20, 1972, for the official welcome ceremony for giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, a gift from China to the American people. The panda pair first arrived at the Zoo on Sunday, April 16, 1972. Photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
First Lady Patricia Nixon at the Zoo on April 20, 1972, for the official welcome ceremony for giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, a gift from China to the American people. The panda pair first arrived at the Zoo on Sunday, April 16, 1972. Photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
First Lady Patricia Nixon at the Zoo on April 20, 1972, for the official welcome ceremony for giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, a gift from China to the American people. The panda pair first arrived at the Zoo on Sunday, April 16, 1972. Photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
First Lady Patricia Nixon at the Zoo on April 20, 1972, for the official welcome ceremony for giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, a gift from China to the American people. The panda pair first arrived at the Zoo on Sunday, April 16, 1972. Photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
First Lady Patricia Nixon at the Zoo on April 20, 1972, for the official welcome ceremony for giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, a gift from China to the American people. The panda pair first arrived at the Zoo on Sunday, April 16, 1972. Photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
First Lady Patricia Nixon at the Zoo on April 20, 1972, for the official welcome ceremony for giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, a gift from China to the American people. The panda pair first arrived at the Zoo on Sunday, April 16, 1972. Photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
First Lady Patricia Nixon at the Zoo on April 20, 1972, for the official welcome ceremony for giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, a gift from China to the American people. The panda pair first arrived at the Zoo on Sunday, April 16, 1972. Photo courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library
