News Archive

As part of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's ongoing collaboration with our Chinese panda colleagues, panda keeper Becky Malinsky and I were able to spend 10 days visiting three giant panda bases earlier this spring. The first two we visited, Bifengxia and...

After carefully monitoring the behavior of both its giant pandas and female Mei Xiang's (may-SHONG) hormones for weeks, the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's team of reproductive scientists, veterinarians and panda keepers performed two artificial inseminations within...

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Bao Bao explored her new yard for the very first time this morning! She spent over an hour outside checking out her new digs. Keepers say that she was cautious at first (which she often is with new experiences), but explored every nook-and-cranny of the yard. She's still learning the lay-of-the-land...

This update was written by keeper Nicole MacCorkle. Hopefully Friday morning was the last hurrah for winter 2014-2015. While our pandas enjoy the snowy weather and all the tobogganing opportunities that it can bring, it also makes things more challenging logistically. While long-time National Zoo...

This update was written by panda keeper Nicole MacCorkle. It has been nearly a week since Mei Xiang and Bao Bao were separated, and we are happy to report that they are both doing well. With any major change in life, there is an adjustment period, but each of our female pandas are settling in and...

This past weekend brought lots of news for giant pandas around the world, and our three bears at the National Zoo. China's State Forestry Administration released the results of the latest giant panda survey, which found 1,864 bears living in the wild. That's an increase of 16.8 percent since 2003...

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. Bao Bao started the weaning process naturally a few months ago, and now she's eating significantly more bamboo...

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 pouncing on her mom Mei Xiang! Bao Bao also did the panda version of snow tubing, which we caught on...

This update was written by keeper Nicole MacCorkle. We've noticed Mei Xiang and Bao Bao are spending increasing amounts of time apart from each other, and Mei is permitting Bao Bao to nurse less often. Sometimes, they even sleep in separate enclosures, a sign that they are beginning the separation...

In 2014, Smithsonian researchers travelled to the China Centre for Research and Conservation of the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) Dujiangyan base.

This update was written by Keeper Nicole MacCorkle. Bao Bao has been introduced to the training cage! This is an important developmental step because this is where the animal care team conduct husbandry behaviors such as measuring blood pressure, drawing blood, taking radiographs, and even routine...

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. During a traditional Zhuazhou ceremony, symbolic objects are placed in front of a baby. The item that the baby reaches for first...

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 and had yet to open her eyes. Now Bao Bao is just over 40 pounds and ventures high into the trees in...

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! Now that Bao Bao has made it to the second #SIshowdown round, help her make it to the third and final by voting again. Cubs like her are hope for the 1,600 wild...

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! She's turning 1 year old in 31 days. Bao Bao is an ambassador for her species. Her birth represents...

This update was written by keeper Nicole MacCorkle Bao Bao is participating in regular training sessions with her keepers, but as always, only on her terms. On the days when she's focused, we make real progress—we build on old behaviors she has mastered, and learn new behaviors. One behavior we have...

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? Keepers put enrichment items in brown paper bags for the pandas. The bears rip open the bags and find...

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. She has been busy exploring, and Smithsonian Channel captured her first attempt at climbing a tree. Now she climbs high in the trees in Mei Xiang's...

It was an exciting day at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat! Bao Bao made her first excursion outside with Mei Xiang. Keepers said at first she was a little hesitant, but after a little reassurance from mom she wandered into the outdoor yard. Once outside Bao Bao was busy exploring...

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. She will be given the option to explore outside with her mother if the temperature is at least 35 degrees Fahrenheit with no...

This update was written by keeper Nicole MacCorkle. Everyone here in the David M.Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat is eager for spring to finally arrive. Even the pandas seem less interested in the snow with each winter storm, spending less time playing in it than they did earlier in the winter...