Giant panda Bei Bei and his celebratory cake at the Bye Bye, Bei Bei event on Nov. 16, 2019.
Giant panda Bei Bei munches on bamboo at the Bye Bye, Bei Bei celebration on Nov. 16, 2019.
Visitors at the Bye Bye, Bei Bei celebration on Nov. 16, 2019.
Giant panda Bei Bei munches on a bamboo stalk.
Giant panda Bei Bei sits in a hammock.
Giant panda Bei Bei in a tree.
Giant panda Bei Bei as a cub.
WHAT:
“Bye Bye, Bei Bei” (BAY-BAY,) a series of online and on-site celebratory events to bid a fond farewell to giant panda Bei Bei before he departs for China.
WHEN:
Nov. 11 to Nov. 18
Complete schedule of online and onsite events: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/events/bye-bye-bei-bei
Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Zoo staff available for individual interviews
RSVP to Devin Murphy, murphyd@si.edu
WHERE:
Online: #ByeByeBeiBei and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
On-site:
David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat
Smithsonian’s National Zoo
3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
Note: Media requesting to film daily enrichment should call (202) 633-3055 to make arrangements.
WHO:
Giant panda keepers
Giant panda Bei Bei will be celebrated with a series of public farewell events from Nov. 11 to 18. Fans can pick up a postcard memento at the Zoo and write their own notes to Bei Bei that will travel with him to China. For fans joining the festivities remotely, Panda Cam 1 will show Bei Bei 24/7. Bei Bei will receive special treats and toys twice each day. All three of the Zoo’s giant pandas will receive ice cakes at 9 a.m. on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17 in honor of Bei Bei’s farewell. In addition, free hot chocolate will be served on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17.
