Giant Pandas Will Make Their Public Debut Jan. 24 at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

To download photos and videos of the giant pandas, visit the Giant Panda Video and Photo Gallery. B-roll of Bao Li and Qing Bao is available on the Zoo's YouTube channel. 

On Jan. 24, giant pandas Bao Li [BOW-lee] and Qing Bao [ching-BOW] will make their public debut at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI). From Jan. 25 to Feb. 9, the Zoo will host a public celebration with a series of special events and programs, including a Lunar New Year event. The District of Panda Party is made possible with the support of The Boeing Company, FedEx, Pepco and Events DC. 

“For over 50 years, giant pandas have been an integral part of the fabric and culture of Washington, D.C., thanks in large part to the support of the communities that live and work in the District,” said Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of NZCBI. “Bao Li and Qing Bao have already won the hearts of our staff and volunteers, and we are excited to welcome panda fans back to the Zoo—the only place in the nation where you can see giant pandas for free —and celebrate the newest chapter of our giant panda breeding and conservation program.”

The Zoo will relaunch the Giant Panda Cam, sponsored by The Boeing Company, once Bao Li and Qing Bao make their public debut, ensuring virtual visitors can join in the celebration and welcome these animal ambassadors to Washington. The Giant Panda Cam is composed of 40 cameras operated from a central system by a corps of specially trained volunteers. The webcams will be live from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. After 7 p.m., the day’s recording will be rebroadcast to ensure virtual visitors around the world can view the animals when they are most active. Ahead of the Giant Panda Cam’s revival, the Zoo launched “Prepping for Pandas”—an original, short-form digital series that highlighted special moments and milestones of the new pandas’ journey to their public debut.

During the District of Panda Party, visitors can celebrate onsite at the Zoo with free and family-friendly entertainment, including film screenings of "Kung Fu Panda" in the Visitor Center Theater as well as cultural activities provided courtesy of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. Party details will be available on the Zoo’s website. 

Free entry passes and paid parking passes should be reserved in advance through the Zoo’s website. Guests of all ages must have their own free entry pass. A limited number of same-day passes may be offered at Zoo entrances for visitors without access to the Zoo’s website. 

The David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat, Bird House and Asia Trail are currently closed to the public. Ahead of the pandas’ debut, limited groups including Zoo staff, volunteers, members and other stakeholders have been visiting the pandas and helping acclimate them to the sights, sounds and smells of crowds. Smithsonian National Zoo members were invited to help the bears acclimate during a 10-day preview period from Jan. 10 to 19. Members are required to reserve free timed-entry passes to participate in the giant panda preview. 

Beginning Jan. 24, the Smithsonian invites panda fans to shop online for a selection of limited-edition “District of Panda Party” merchandise commemorating Bao Li and Qing Bao’s debut. Proceeds directly support the Smithsonian and NZCBI’s animal care and conservation programs.

To follow the latest news about NZCBI’s panda program, visit the Zoo’s website, subscribe to its e-newsletter, and follow on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X using the hashtag #DCPandas.     

About the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) leads the Smithsonian’s global effort to save species, better understand ecosystems and train future generations of conservationists. Its two campuses are home to some of the world’s most critically endangered species. Always free of charge, the Zoo’s 163-acre park in the heart of Washington features 2,200 animals representing 400 species and is a popular destination for children and families. At the Conservation Biology Institute’s 3,200-acre campus in Virginia, breeding and veterinary research on more than 250 animals representing 20 species provide critical data for the management of animals in human care and valuable insights for conservation of wild populations. NZCBI’s more than 300 staff and scientists work in Washington, Virginia and with partners at field sites across the United States and in more than 30 countries to save wildlife, collaborate with communities and conserve native habitats. NZCBI is a long-standing accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. 

# # #

Photo 1 caption: Male giant panda Bao Li in his habitat at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Oct. 24, 2024. Photo 1 credit: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Photo 2 caption: Female giant panda Qing Bao in her habitat at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Oct. 23, 2024. Photo 2 credit: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.