The Panda Party is back on as giant pandas will return to Wa

Half a year after the nation’s capital bid an emotional farewell to its giant pandas, the National Zoo is expecting a renewed surge in panda-mania with the announcement that two more of the furry black-and-white icons will be returning to Washington. The zoo announced Wednesday that a fresh agreement had been struck with the Chinese government, and a pair of adult pandas would be arriving by the end of the year. The zoo said the incoming pair are Bao Li and Qing Bao. Giant pandas are icons in Washington and beloved around the nation and the world. Pandas have been the symbol of U.S.-China friendship since Beijing sent a pair to the National Zoo in 1972.

Related Keywords

United States , California , Qing Bao , Gansu , China , Washington , Beijing , Smithsonian Institution , District Of Columbia , San Francisco , Sichuan , Yun Chuan , Shanxi , Taiwan , San Diego Zoo , American , Chinese , America , Xiao Qi Ji , Ya Lun , Bao Li , Bao , Xin Bao , Mei Xiang , Jlun , Brandie Smith , Jill Biden , Tian , Yang , Conservation Biology Institute , China Wildlife Conservation Association , Smithsonian National Zoo , Associated Press , National Zoo , Research Center , President Xi Jinping , Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie , Zoo Atlanta , China Conservation , Giant Panda ,