On Dec. 7, the three giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji will relocate to the Wildlife Conservation Association in China once the United States and Chinese loan agreement expires. Their return is a bittersweet moment for many as the three pandas have been a major part of the Smithsonian National Zoo since 2000.
According to ABC News, the pandas are part of a Chinese program that loans pandas out to zoos in the United States in panda conservation efforts.
In exchange for the pandas, the National Zoo paid approximately $10 million upfront and additional fees to extend the contract. The deal allows researchers and zoos worldwide access to the science of panda conservation and the ability to raise money for Chinese conservation efforts.
To celebrate the pandas’ departure, the National Zoo hosted the Panda Palooza, a nine-day celebration from Sept. 23 to Oct. 1. The programming included arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, movies, live music and several family-friendly activities, centering around the departing pandas and future conservation efforts.
Although getting the pandas back to China may be “logistically challenging,” Bryan Amaral, a senior curator at the National Zoo, says, “it should be no big deal” in an interview with NBC4 Washington. The pandas are trained to enter their specially designed transport containers and will fly directly to China.
According to freshman Clara McQuaid, the pandas departing is upsetting but an exciting moment.
“I am disappointed that they are leaving since they were such a huge part of my childhood and iconic figures in general for Washington,” McQuaid said. “However, I am happy they are getting a new home.”
Smithsonian Zoo’s giant panda keeper Mariel Lally added that saying goodbye to the pandas will be bittersweet. “[T]hem leaving is going to be sad…for all of the…giant panda keepers,” said Lally in an interview with NBC4 Washington. The National Zoo has also significantly impacted panda conservation efforts.
“We have helped with panda conservation because people have been falling in love with the pandas,” explained Lally. “So many people have made connections with the pandas. And in return, they can help educate and support giant panda conservation.”
Once the pandas arrive at the China Wildlife Conservation Association, they will receive “luxurious treatment,” according to National Zoo Director Brandie Smith in a press release.
The enclosure will be improved after the pandas depart with extra climbing structures and better air conditioning in the hopes of eventually welcoming new pandas.Sophomore Coco Campbell fears that the pandas’ departure reflects ongoing political tension between China and the U.S., and McQuaid agreed that the tensions between the two countries may have been a reason for the decision to pull giant pandas from the U.S.
However, Smith and other researchers said the pandas’ return is unrelated to politics. “We are discussing what’s best for the overall program and what can be best for individual animals,” concluded Smith.
