Media Advisory: Giant Panda Qing Bao 5th Birthday Celebration

Photos and b-roll will be available in the Zoo’s newsroom after noon Saturday, Sept. 12. 

WHAT:          Presentation of panda-friendly fruitsicle cake to giant panda Qing Bao, who turns 5 years old Sept. 12. 

WHEN:          Saturday, Sept. 12
8 a.m.: Registered media in cars with confirmed parking spots can access the Zoo from the Connecticut Avenue vehicle entrance. Media credentials are required for admittance. 
9 a.m.: Giant panda Qing Bao will access her habitat and receive her cake. 
9:30 a.m.: Zoo staff will be available for interviews. 
10 a.m.: Media event concludes.  

WHERE:       

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
3001 Connecticut Ave. N.W.
David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat

(Note: Media credentials are required to cover the celebration. Media parking will be in Lot B. Media must RSVP by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. Space will not be reserved for media separately from the visitors.)

WHO:             
Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas
Mariel Lally, giant panda keeper

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s giant panda, Qing Bao (ching-BOW), will celebrate her 5th birthday Sept. 12 with a specially tailored fruitsicle cake. At 9 a.m., keepers will give Qing Bao access to her habitat, where her cake and several enrichment boxes will be set for her to explore. 

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America will join the panda party with a selection of family-friendly activities, including calligraphy, coloring, face painting/nail art stations, a panda mascot, plus giant panda-themed trivia with prizes. 

RSVP: All media must RSVP by 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. Register by providing name, outlet, email, phone and parking request to [email protected]. Media must be on the RSVP list to enter the Zoo. Due to limited capacity, media attendance will be strictly limited to two persons and one vehicle per outlet. 

LIVE SHOTS: No satellite trucks can be accommodated on-site. Any media planning on live shots must use satellite packs. Media interested in live shots should preregister and confirm with Jen Zoon at [email protected]. Prior to 8 a.m., media may conduct live shots outside the Zoo’s Connecticut Avenue pedestrian entrance.

CREDENTIALS: Media must bring media credentials and government-issued identification, such as a U.S. driver’s license. No media will be admitted to the event without preregistering and the proper credentials. Media credentials must be worn at all times.  

MEDIA RESOURCES: 

Giant Panda Program

For comprehensive resources on the Zoo’s giant panda breeding and conservation program, visit the Zoo’s website. 

Giant Panda Cam

Fans can stay connected to Qing Bao’s birthday celebration via the Giant Panda Cam, sponsored by Boeing. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute does not grant permission for any of the Zoo’s webcams to be streamed live on non-Smithsonian sites. The Giant Panda Cam is copywritten to the Smithsonian Institution and does not fall under the Smithsonian’s Open Access policy. Media who wish to share the Giant Panda Cam may direct their audiences to the Zoo’s website and must credit the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Videos from the Giant Panda Cam in the Zoo’s newsroom or YouTube channel may be shared by media, always with credit to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

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Photo Caption: Giant panda Qing Bao eats a stalk of bamboo in her outdoor habitat. 
Photo credit: Roshan Patel/Smithsonian