Last Chance To Say Goodbye To D.C.'s Pandas As They Will Depart By Mid-November

Leona Martinez
Oct 26, 2023
Oct 26, 2023

For over half a century, Washington, D.C. has embraced its giant pandas as cherished members of the community.

However, as the days grow shorter and November approaches, the National Zoo is preparing to bid farewell to its beloved panda family. Mei Xiang, 25, and Tian Tian, 26, along with their three-year-old son, Xiao Qi Ji, will be embarking on a journey back to their ancestral home in China before November 15.

The National Zoo Has Had A Remarkable History With Giant Pandas

Source: Smithsonian's National Zoo

It all began in 1972, when China gave the zoo its first pair, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, during the intense Cold War rivalry between the United States and China.

Over the years, pandas have come and gone; generations of these lovable giants have been born, bringing joy to visitors with their cute and funny antics. These black-and-white bears have truly become a part of Washington's identity.

The Remaining Three Pandas Will Be Leaving For China

The Zoo entered into this agreement in Dec. 2000 when Mei Xiang and Tian Tian arrived at the Zoo.
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) October 25, 2023

Sadly, on Wednesday, the Smithsonian said that the last three giant pandas, Mei Xiang (25), Tian Tian (26), and their three-year-old son, Xiao Qi Ji, will be leaving for China before November 15.

While the pandas lounged and gnawed their sugar cane and bamboo, zoo officials talked about getting ready for the pandas' departure and what comes next for the zoo after they're gone.

Brandie Smith, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Brandie Smith, the director of the National Zoo, mentioned that while the zoo has expressed its interest in having more giant pandas, there haven't been any official talks about it yet.

“We’re not having those conversations yet. … If they came here, when would they come here, what would the next agreement look like.”

“But we have been very clear that we do want to continue this panda program,” she said.

It's important to note that China owns and leases all giant pandas in U.S. zoos. The National Zoo's pandas are returning to China because the current lease ends on December 7.

While the future may be uncertain, the zoo is determined to renovate the giant panda compound, preparing for the potential return of these charismatic creatures.

For Now, The Zoo’s Main Concern Is Making Sure These Three Pandas Leave Safely

Tien Tien, one of the giant pandas leaving D.C., enjoys a sugar cane at the National Zoo on Wednesday

Source: Bill O'Leary

Getting the pandas ready for their journey is a careful process. “It’s an incredibly complex endeavor,” Smith said. “There’s zero margin for error.”

The pandas will travel with a massive container. “It’s like their carry-on,” said Bryan Amaral, the zoo’s senior curator. “It’s humongous.”

The container will hold around 300 pounds of bamboo, as well as water, produce, and nutrition biscuits. This ensures they have enough sustenance for the 19-hour, 9,000-mile journey from Virginia's Dulles International Airport to Chengdu, China.

Three separate shipping containers will transport the pandas aboard a Boeing 777 FedEx cargo plane adorned with a giant panda logo.

The Plan Will Take Longer Due To Ukraine-Russian Conflict

Xiao Qi Ji, the National Zoo's baby giant panda

Source: Courtesy National Zoo

Due to the conflict in Ukraine, American planes can't fly over Russian airspace. So, the panda plane will take a longer path, going over the Pacific Ocean. This route adds around five hours, 500 miles, and a stop in Alaska for refueling.

In the past, when pandas traveled from Washington to China, they took a shorter, nonstop route across the Atlantic.

Panda Keepers Will Travel With The Pandas To Make Sure They’re Comfortable

Baby panda Xiao Qi Ji (L) celebrates his first birthday with his mother Mei Xiang

Source: Google Images

Laurie Thompson and Mariel Lally, panda keepers, and zoo veterinarian James Steeil will accompany the pandas on their journey, ensuring their well-being throughout the long flight.

The keepers have been preparing the pandas for the trip by getting them used to the transport containers and making the experience as positive as possible.

Pandas are known for their easygoing nature, which makes the training process smoother.

Once in China, the pandas will adapt to their new environment and caretakers.

“Pandas are pretty remarkable,” Bryan Amaral said. “They’re pretty easygoing, so it does not take long” for them to get used to the containers.

“To them, language doesn’t really matter,” Bryan added. “We can train a new behavior, and train it in Chinese. They don’t know that it’s not English. They don’t know that it was English in the first place.”

The First Time In 23 Years That Washington, D.C. Will Be Without These Gentle Giants

The departure of the National Zoo's pandas marks the first time in 23 years that Washington, D.C. will be without these gentle giants, and the future remains uncertain.

The giant pandas will leave for China and take with them a piece of everyone's heart, including the zookeepers and the local community, who have cherished the pandas for decades.

“I almost can’t let myself think about how I will feel when these animals are gone,” Brandie Smith said. “It’s the end of an era for us.”

“I think about it almost like them going to college,” she continued. “You know it’s going to happen. It’s about to happen. You prepare for it for so long. But on the day that it actually does happen, you’re just, like, a bawling mess.”

Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji enjoys an ice cake to celebrate his third birthday

Source: Google Images

“It’s very sad,” Thompson said. “To have no pandas here is going to be sad. If at least one of them were still here, I think it would be a little easier. But since they’re all going, it’s going to be awful.”

“It’s an emotional time around here,” Nicole MacCorkle, a keeper who has helped care for giant pandas at the zoo for 22 years, said in a telephone interview last week. “We’re just trying to soak in all the moments, and really appreciate what special individuals they are, and just have that quality time.”

“I’m sad,” Amaral shared. “I’m more sad for the folks that have been taking care of these guys for so many years. … I’m sad for the panda fans around D.C. and around the world.”

“But this was inevitable,” he added. “We knew this was going to happen, from the day the agreement was made in 2000.”

“I’m really glad that we have had the time with these pandas that we’ve had,” he continued.