Sun Jan 26 13:20:00 UTC 2025: ## D.C.’s National Zoo Welcomes Giant Pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao

**Washington, D.C. –** Three-year-old giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao made their highly anticipated public debut today at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. The pandas, who arrived from China in October, have completed their quarantine period and are now on display to the public.

Zoo visitors can see the pandas for free, a unique opportunity in the United States. For those unable to visit in person, a newly relaunched giant panda cam offers 24/7 coverage (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET) from 40 strategically placed cameras.

National Zoo members enjoyed a special preview earlier this month, allowing the pandas to adjust to their new home. The zoo’s director, Brandie Smith, expressed excitement about welcoming panda fans and beginning a new chapter in giant panda breeding and conservation. Zookeepers have described the pandas as active and playful.

To celebrate the arrival, the National Zoo will host a series of public events and programs from January 25th to February 9th, culminating in a Lunar New Year event. Several D.C. hotels are even offering panda-themed packages. The arrival of Bao Li and Qing Bao marks a significant moment for the National Zoo and promises to be a major draw for visitors in the coming weeks.

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