Giant pandas are coming back to U.S. zoos — starting with the San Diego Zoo. And D.C. could be next, a Chinese official hinted this week.
Pandas have been China’s most popular diplomats for decades: in 1972, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo received its first pair following Richard Nixon’s historic visit to the Communist nation. Since then, giant pandas have been one of the zoo’s top attractions — so much so, that these cute, furry, bamboo-eating bears have become entwined in D.C.’s identity, even emblazoned on Metro fare cards for years.
It was a teary goodbye for many locals when Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji left the National Zoo for China last November, after the lease for the animals expired and was not renewed. D.C. wasn’t alone: pandas were recalled from all four U.S. zoos that had them. China watchers said it was a reflection of the rocky diplomatic relationship between the two global powers — at its lowest point in years.
This week, the San Diego Zoo announced it has inked a deal with the China Wildlife Conservation Association to bring pandas back. Then, at a press conference Thursday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson suggested D.C. could be one of the next zoos in line.
“We learned that relevant Chinese authorities have signed new agreements with Zoo Madrid of Spain and San Diego Zoo of the U.S. on cooperation on giant panda conservation. There is ongoing consultation with the National Zoo in Washington D.C. and Schönbrunn Zoo in Austria on new giant panda cooperation,” said Mao Ning, the spokesperson.
“We hope that the new round of international cooperation on giant panda conservation between China and relevant countries will further enrich scientific research in protecting giant panda and other endangered species, and forge closer bonds between our peoples,” Mao added.
Relations between the U.S and China seemed to improve, following a meeting in mid-November last year between President Biden and President Xi Jinping of China. At a dinner after the meeting, Xi said pandas had long been “envoys of friendship” between the countries, and said China would “do our best” to bring the animals back.
Brandie Smith, director of the National Zoo, confirmed in a statement that the zoo is in discussions with China. “It’s always been our intention and hope to have giant pandas at the zoo in the future and continue our research here and conservation work in China,” said Smith. “After 52 years of success, we remain committed to giant panda conservation.”
Indeed, while the Panda House is empty, the zoo is spending $2.5 million redoing the habitats, in hopes of someday soon welcoming giant pandas back.
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Published Date : 2024-02-22 20:09:00
Source : dcist.com
