Giant panda News

This update was written by Keeper Nicole MacCorkle. Bao Bao has been introduced to the training cage! This is an important developmental step because this is where the animal care team conduct husbandry behaviors such as measuring blood pressure, drawing blood, taking radiographs, and even routine...

The National Zoo and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China celebrated giant panda cub Bao Bao's first birthday this morning with a Zhuazhou (dra-JO) ceremony. During a traditional Zhuazhou ceremony, symbolic objects are placed in front of a baby. The item that the baby reaches for first...

The past year at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat has been a very special one. We've been able to watch Mei Xiang raise a cub from the first moments of her birth, when she was pink and had yet to open her eyes. Now Bao Bao is just over 40 pounds and ventures high into the trees in...

Bao Bao can't stay out of the spotlight! The Smithsonian is having a showdown, giving YOU the chance to vote for the top Smithsonian icon! Now that Bao Bao has made it to the second #SIshowdown round, help her make it to the third and final by voting again. Cubs like her are hope for the 1,600 wild...

We celebrated Mei Xiang's birthday yesterday at the panda habitat. She turned 16 and received a special frozen treat for some extra enrichment. The next birthday we'll be celebrating is Bao Bao's! She's turning 1 year old in 31 days. Bao Bao is an ambassador for her species. Her birth represents...

This update was written by keeper Nicole MacCorkle Bao Bao is participating in regular training sessions with her keepers, but as always, only on her terms. On the days when she's focused, we make real progress—we build on old behaviors she has mastered, and learn new behaviors. One behavior we have...

We've received many questions from our many curious panda fans! In this panda update, keeper Nicole MacCorkle answers questions we have received. What is in the paper bags that you give the pandas? Keepers put enrichment items in brown paper bags for the pandas. The bears rip open the bags and find...

It's been a busy few weeks at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. Bao Bao is now going outside with Mei Xiang regularly in the morning. She has been busy exploring, and Smithsonian Channel captured her first attempt at climbing a tree. Now she climbs high in the trees in Mei Xiang's...

It was an exciting day at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat! Bao Bao made her first excursion outside with Mei Xiang. Keepers said at first she was a little hesitant, but after a little reassurance from mom she wandered into the outdoor yard. Once outside Bao Bao was busy exploring...

Bao Bao may be exploring the great outdoors soon! Bao Bao will have access to her mother Mei Xiang's larger yard this week beginning each day around 8 a.m., weather depending. She will be given the option to explore outside with her mother if the temperature is at least 35 degrees Fahrenheit with no...

This update was written by keeper Nicole MacCorkle. Everyone here in the David M.Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat is eager for spring to finally arrive. Even the pandas seem less interested in the snow with each winter storm, spending less time playing in it than they did earlier in the winter...

One of the keys to raising a healthy giant panda cub is mother's milk. Since her birth on August 23, Bao Bao has grown from 4.8 ounces to just over 20 pounds. She's packed on the pounds almost exclusively by nursing from Mei Xiang; she's only recently started to eat sweet potato and maybe a little...

This update was written by giant panda keeper Nicole MacCorkle. Bao Bao continues to grow steadily, and is becoming more active and inquisitive with each passing day. Therefore, keepers are maximizing this time while she is little and playful to lay the groundwork for future positive reinforcement...

Bao Bao is proving to be most active in the early mornings and in the midafternoon. Today she and Mei Xiang enjoyed an extended play session inside the panda house. Bao Bao pounced on Mei's head several times and even wrestled with a stalk of bamboo. All the excitement wore her out, and she was...

This panda update was written by keeper Nicole MacCorkle. Like father, like daughter. Panda cam viewers may have noticed something interesting about Bao Bao's resting habits—she frequently sleeps on her back, which is the preferred position for her dad Tian Tian as well. Early on a recent morning...

After four months of watching her grow on the panda cams, visitors to the Smithsonian's National Zoo will be able to visit Bao Bao starting January 18. Members of Friends of the National Zoo will be able to visit Bao Bao exclusively at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat from January...

Bao Bao is becoming a master at giant panda locomotion! She climbed up on the rockwork in Mei Xiang's enclosure early Wednesday morning all by herself. She took a little tumble, but she was completely unhurt and Mei Xiang quickly came to her side. Undeterred by gravity, she soon was at it again and...

After four months of watching her grow on the panda cams, visitors to the Smithsonian's National Zoo will be able to visit Bao Bao starting Jan. 18. Members of Friends of the National Zoo will be able to visit Bao Bao exclusively at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat from Jan. 11 to...

Bao Bao had a busy day Friday! She was very active and spent the entire day in one of Mei Xiang's large indoor enclosures. That was the first time she has spent an entire day outside of the den! Keepers also weighed Bao Bao early Friday morning. She is now up to 13.2 pounds (6.26 kilos). As Bao Bao...

It's been a big week for Bao Bao! She got her name on Sunday, thanks to the more than 120,000 votes cast. She now weighs a whopping 12.76 pounds! Keepers have noticed her putting bamboo in her mouth in an exploratory sort of way, though she's not eating yet. Mei is beginning to take Bao Bao out of...

Transcurridos 100 días y con más de 123.039 votos recibidos, la cría de panda gigante del Zoológico Nacional Smithsonian ha recibido su nombre —Bao Bao— hoy, domingo 1 de diciembre. El secretario del Smithsonian, Wayne Clough, el embajador de la República Popular China, Cui Tiankai, y la secretaria...

After 100 days and 123,039 votes, the giant panda cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo received her name today. The cub's name is: Bao Bao! Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough, Ambassador Cui Tiankai from the People's Republic of China and Assistant Secretary Kerri-Ann Jones from the U.S. Department...

Today was another weigh-in day! The cub now weighs 10.8 pounds (4.9 kilos). And keepers have noticed that she is responding to the noises she hears. When they enter the den to take her for weights and measurements, she orients herself toward them. They also have been talking more when they are...

The panda cub is taking small steps! Over the weekend and yesterday cam watchers may have noticed that she has been able to get her hind legs underneath her and stand up. She hasn't gotten very far yet though, she's only takes a few steps before sitting back down and crawling. On Sunday she almost...

The panda cub was weighed and measured again this morning! She now weighs 9.68 pounds (4.4 kilos). She is still very round measuring 18.11 inches (46 centimeters) around her belly. But her nose is starting to lose its pink color and turn black like an adult panda nose. She is also crawling with a...