Public Invited to Giant Panda Housewarming Celebration

WHAT:          Ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new indoor exhibit for visitors at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat, followed by a day-long celebration, sponsored by Airbnb.

WHEN:          Saturday, Feb. 23
                      9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Ribbon-cutting and remarks
                      9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Giant pandas and red pandas receive special treats. While supplies last, visitors can enjoy free hot chocolate, dumplings, coloring sheets and limited-edition free prints of a painting created by the Zoo’s giant pandas available in the Panda                                Plaza gift shop.   

WHERE:       David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat
                      Smithsonian’s National Zoo
                      3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W.

WHO:            Steven Monfort, John and Adrienne Mars director, National Zoo
                      Minister Xu Xueyuan, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
                      David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-CEO, The Carlyle Group

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China will host a housewarming, sponsored by Airbnb, to celebrate the new exhibit for visitors inside the panda house. A public celebration will follow brief remarks and a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Visitors to the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat will enjoy:

Free dumplings until 11 a.m., courtesy of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

Free hot chocolate until 2 p.m., courtesy of Airbnb.

A free coloring sheet showcasing the many species that share bamboo forest habitat with giant pandas in the wild.

Free commemorative limited-edition print of an original painting by giant pandas Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN), Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and Bei Bei (BAY-BAY). Prints will be available in the Panda Plaza gift shop while supplies last and will be distributed one-per-family.

Giant and red pandas receive special frozen treats throughout the day.

The new interactive exhibit inside the panda house will teach visitors about the ecology, history, reproduction, conservation and care of giant pandas. Through a series of new interactive games and activities, visitors will learn about these unique bears and their natural habitat.