Three giant pandas left the National Zoo to began a journey to China on Wednesday, ending more than 50 decades of the National Zoo's panda program.
Updated: Nov. 08, 2023, 10:21 a.m.Giant pandas Mei Xiang, left, and her cub Xiao Qi Ji are seen eating bamboo in their enclosure at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington. The pair and a third giant panda, Tian Tian, left Washington on Wednesday for a return to China, ending more than 50 years of giant panda presence at the National Zoo. WASHINGTON – For the first time in decades, there are no giant pandas at the National Zoo.
The departure marks an end to more than five decades of Chinese pandas being housed at the National Zoo,. The National Zoo was the first in the United States to showcase the animals as part of what’s been called “panda diplomacy.” The removal is related more toward the nation’s focus on conservation and research, an official said.
Wednesday’s departure was an emotional moment at the National Zoo – something Zoo Director Brandie Smith described as a “hard morning,”“It’s a moment of joy because this is one more step in 50 years of a successful giant panda conservation program, and hopefully the beginning of 50 more years,” Smith said in opening remarks in front of the zoo’s Asia Trail and the recently vacated panda enclosure. “Please know the future is bright for giant pandas.
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