The end of an era: National Zoo’s giant pandas leave for China
The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC, is experiencing a bittersweet moment as it bids farewell to its three giant pandas — Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and their youngest cub, Xiao Qi Ji. The beloved black-and-white bears are set to return to China on Wednesday, marking the end of more than 50 years of Chinese pandas being housed at the zoo.
The departure of the pandas from the National Zoo leaves Zoo Atlanta as the only other US zoo with pandas from China, a status that may not last for much longer. The contracts for Atlanta’s bears are set to expire next year, and there has been no word on an extension.
The evolving US-China relationship has played a role in the gradual decline of panda presence at American zoos. At the height of the program, there were 15 pandas in the United States, but in the past decade, the number has decreased significantly.
The panda loan program serves as a form of “panda diplomacy,” with China using the cuddly creatures as a way to strengthen bilateral ties and gain influence. Agreements between China and the US zoos stipulate that Beijing owns the pandas and any of their offspring, with the zoos making significant payments for the conservation of giant pandas in China.
While the departure of the pandas from the National Zoo is seen as a “hiatus” by zoo staff, there are hopes for a potential return in the future. The zoo has submitted an application for more giant pandas, with renovations being planned for the soon-to-be vacant panda exhibit.
The pandas’ return to China also raises concerns about their conservation and habitat. China’s panda population has seen a 17% increase over the past decade, but the total number of giant pandas remains low, with only around 61% of China’s pandas protected by reserves and their habitat threatened by logging.
As the giant pandas prepare to depart from American zoos, there is a sense of hope for their return in the future, with zoo visitors and staff reminiscing about the beloved bears and the role they played in US-China relations. But for now, the focus is on their conservation and preservation in their native habitat.