The pandas’ trip home - with a refueling stop in Alaska - ends a half-century chapter that left an enduring black-and-white imprint on the D.C. region
By Michael E. Ruane, Olivia Diaz, William Wan, The Washington PostGiant panda Mei Xiang is transported to a truck at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park on Wednesday. MUST CREDIT: Matt McClain/The Washington PostUnder police escort and accompanied by their longtime keepers, Washington’s three giant pandas boarded a flight to China on Wednesday. Their departure marked the end of an era that spanned half a century, brought joy to millions and left an enduring black-and-white imprint on the D.
The adult male, Tian Tian, went next. MacCorkle wiped away tears as she walked back from his truck. Their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, was last to go. During their half-century in Washington, the bears had become ubiquitous and iconic symbols of city, alongside the White House and the Capitol. The exit of all pandas from the United States comes at a moment of strained U.S.-China relations. Experts believe China’s decision not to renew or sign new leases with U.S. zoos is a reflection of the current tensions in the two countries’ complicated diplomatic relationship.
Joyce choked up as she spoke. “We were going to come yesterday, but we had a schedule change and we couldn’t make it,” she said. “We drove yesterday so we could be here today.” By midmorning, the trucks ferrying the bears had arrived at a FedEx facility outside Dulles. Zoo staff exited their vehicles and followed the three pandas.
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian were born in China. They came to the zoo as youngsters, arriving on Dec. 6, 2000, as part of a lease agreement. Xiao Qi Ji was born at the zoo on Aug. 21, 2020. Thompson, the zoo’s longest-serving giant panda keeper, was present when Mei Xiang and Tian Tian arrived 23 years ago. She was one of the staff members flying with the pandas to ease their journey. “We’re mostly there to keep them happy,” she said.
Ling-Ling died suddenly in 1992, and an ailing Hsing-Hsing was euthanized in November 1999. The zoo was then without giant pandas until December 2000 - a gap of just over a year.A male, Tai Shan, was born in 2005 and sent to China in 2010. A female, Bao Bao, was born in 2013 and sent to China in 2017. A male, Bei Bei, was born in 2015 and sent to China in 2019.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The National Zoo’s giant pandas leave for China todayD.C.’s giant pandas will board a flight to China on Wednesday, ending an era that spanned half a century and left an enduring black-and-white imprint on the region.
Read more »
Bye bye, pandas: Smithsonian's National Zoo bids farewell as giant pandas leave for ChinaThe Smithsonian's National Zoo parted with its beloved giant pandas Wednesday, ending the furry inhabitants' nearly 23-year stay in the nation's capital.
Read more »
Giant pandas leave Washington for China, ending 50+ years at National ZooThree 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.
Read more »
3 giant pandas leave DC’s Smithsonian National Zoo for China, ending 50-year runThree of the most popular residents at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., are headed back home to China. The pandas departed the zoo in FedEx crates Wednesday.
Read more »
National Zoo’s panda program ending after more than 50 years as China looks elsewhereThe National Zoo’s three three celebrity pandas — Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and their youngest cub, Xiao Qi Ji — are heading back to China.
Read more »
DC's giant pandas depart National Zoo for ChinaD.C.'s giant pandas are departing the Smithsonian's National Zoo and returning to China today.
Read more »