Giant Panda Program Media Resources

A panda surveys her surroundings from atop a fallen log.

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.

For media inquiries, including requests 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

Departure of Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji

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 current agreement between the Zoo and CWCA is effective through April 2034.

Giant Panda Cub Births

Giant Panda Departures for China

First Ladies of United States and China Name Giant Panda Cub at the Zoo

B-roll

Additional giant panda footage available on the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's official YouTube page.

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

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute announced it would welcome a new pair of giant pandas, Bao Li [BOW-lee] and Qing Bao [ching-BOW], to the Zoo by the end of 2024. The pandas arrived in October 2024. In this video, Qing Bao and Bao Li are seen in their habitat areas at Chinese panda conservation bases in May 2024.

Courtesy of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library.

Photo/Video Rights and Usage

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.

Giant Pandas Currently 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

National Zoo Collection: Smithsonian Store

Discover a collection of clothes, plush toys and home goods from the Smithsonian Store. 

Download Archival Photos

Below are high-resolution photos of giant pandas formerly at the Zoo. Photos are available to download for media purposes. 

Image Gallery