Bao Bao (, colloquially meaning "baby"; born August 23, 2013) is a female giant panda who was born at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. She lived at the Zoo until February 2017. She is currently located at the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province. She is the sister of Tai Shan, Bei Bei, and Xiao Qi Ji.
Life Bao Bao was born on August 23, 2013, at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. The cub of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, Bao Bao is a result of artificial insemination of Mei Xiang on March 30, 2013.
Giant pandas are listed as a vulnerable species, and are protected in part by conservation efforts at reservations and in zoos such as the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Bao Bao is one of only several hundred giant pandas alive today in captivity, among fewer than 2,000 giant pandas in the world, the first surviving panda cub born at the National Zoo since Tai Shan in 2005.
In 2013, there were an unusually high number of giant panda cub births in zoos around the world. In addition to Bao Bao, other giant panda cubs born in 2013 include Yuan Zai in Taiwan, twin cubs Mei Lun and Mei Huan at Zoo Atlanta, Fu Bao at Zoo Vienna, and Xing Bao at Zoo Madrid.
Naming ceremony and debut Bao Bao was named 100 days after her birth. Her name was chosen by voters through the Smithsonian's website. Five names were originally submitted by various dignitaries and groups, including Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai, U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke, panda keepers at the National Zoo, the fundraising group Friends of the National Zoo, and the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. The chosen name was submitted by Friends of the National Zoo. The five choices for names were Bao Bao (), Ling Hua (), Long Yun (), Mulan (), and Zhen Bao ().
Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States, and Peng Liyuan, First Lady of China, each sent special video messages that were played during the naming ceremony. Bao Bao's birth, naming ceremony, and travel to China in 2017 are part of China's panda diplomacy.
Bao Bao made her public debut at the National Zoo on January 18, 2014.
Development By August 19, 2014, Bao Bao could stand on her hind legs when keepers asked, and could recognize her name when it was called by familiar voices. She did not yet consistently respond as an adult giant panda would, even to her mother Mei's unique bleat. More often, she moved inside when called instead of remaining in her favorite trees, napping or resting. Bao Bao celebrated her first birthday four days later, with a giant birthday cake made of frozen fruits and vegetables. Crowds of visitors gathered at the zoo to celebrate her birthday.
On the afternoon of December 23, 2014, Bao Bao climbed a tree after touching a "hot wire". Responding to inquiries from concerned members of the public, the zoo stated that this was a natural reaction to the "hot wire", and that Bao Bao was safe and comfortable in the tree. After over 24 hours in the tree, Bao Bao safely climbed down on her own the following day.
The separation was completed in early March 2015, as planned, and went well.
Bao Bao celebrated her second birthday on August 23, 2015, one day after her mother Mei Xiang gave birth to twin male cubs on August 22, 2015. However, only one of the cubs, Bei Bei, survived.
Bao Bao remained at the National Zoo until February 21, 2017, when she was sent to China; she is currently located at the Wolong National Nature Reserve.
Motherhood Bao Bao gave birth to a female cub named Dun Dun on July 29, 2020, as well as twin male cubs Bao Li and Bao Yuan on August 4, 2021.
Under an agreement announced by the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and China on May 29, 2024, Bao Li and female Qing Bao were scheduled to move to the Zoo in 2024. The two giant pandas arrived at the National Zoo on October 15, 2024, and made their public debut on January 24, 2025.
See also List of giant pandas List of individual bears
References
External links Giant Pandas at the National Zoo Panda Cam at National Zoo