Panda Palooza at the Smithsonian National Zoo
In honor of its three pandas the Smithsonian National Zoo will be throwing a Panda Palooza from now until 1st of October. The zoo is doing this so that everyone can have a chance to say their farewells to the pandas. The pandas, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji will be heading back to China by the 7th of December. If you want to see this beautiful and playful family, now is the time.
The nine-day event will be packed with numerous events, including panda talks, morning family yoga sessions, conservation-themed scavenger hunt, and live music concerts. The Panda Palooza will also include free film screenings of the popular “Kung Fu Panda” and “The Miracle Cub” in the Visitor Center Theater. Members of the zoo will also get to enjoy a designated area on the Panda Overlook. The zoo will also be offering giveaways to its loyal members. The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China has also provided some panda-themed treats and a calligraphy station.
Why are the pandas leaving the zoo?
Like all zoos, the Smithsonian National Zoo has an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The pandas were a temporary gift, which the zoo now must return. The agreements usually state that the pandas live in the states for ten years, in exchange for ten million dollars. While the pandas were meant to stay for only ten years, the zoo was able to extend their agreement several times. National Zoo has been working with China for 51 years, conserving giant pandas in the wild and in captivity. Through their shared efforts, these incredible animals have a better chance of survival in the wild and captivity.
Soon, the zoo will be saying goodbye to 26-year-old Tian Tian, 25-year-old Mei Xiang, and their 3-year-old son Xiao Qi Ji. The couple will live out the rest of their lives in China, their native home. In captivity, giant pandas can live up to 30 years. Some have reported them to exceed this and live for 35 years in captivity.
Will you be going to the Panda Palooza at the Smithsonian National Zoo? If you can’t make it, you can enjoy the live camera feed and take a peek at these beautiful pandas.
