The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C. received a special delivery from China on October15th. Three-year-old giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao traveled about 19 hours on a dedicated “FedEx Panda Express” Boeing 777F aircraft from Chengdu, China and then were transported to the NZCBI in ‘panda branded’ FedEx trucks.
Pandas have been gifted to the NZCBI since 1972 but in November 2023; after the loan agreement ended, they were sent back.
The pandas are on loan for 10 years and an annual fee of $1 million to support conservation efforts to China. The bears will remain in quarantine for a minimum of 30 days, which is normal protocol for any new animals coming to zoos or aquariums.
Zoo members will be able to preview the pandas beginning on January 10th, 2025 and general public previews will begin on January 24th.
By - FZ
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