By Ben Shlesinger, MCS Panda Correspondent
Xiao Qi Ji, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian left the National Zoo more than a year ago, and ursine admirers were left wondering when or if pandas would ever return. Well, on Friday, Bao Li (male) and Qing Bao (female), a pair of three-year old pandas, make their public debut (more photos below).
They arrived in D.C. to much fanfare in October and National Zoo members were able to see them during a member previewthe last two weeks. If you’d like to go see the panda pair for yourself, you need to get a free, reserved ticket. You can talk Metro and walk right into the Zoo but you still need a reserved ticket. If you want to drive, parking is $30 a pop. Lot B is the closest parking lot to the pandas.
Pro-tip: The zoo opens at 8 A.M. and the earlier you go the better. As someone who has visited the pandas countless times over the years, I can say that the pandas are most active early in the morning. The pandas tend to go out in their yard at 8 A.M. and that is when the zookeepers clean their enclosures. They will also have fresh bamboo outside so you will be able to see them enjoy a leafy green breakfast. Bao Li and Qing Bao will be out for around an hour before deciding if they stay outside or go back indoors. If you show up at 11 A.M. or later, there’s a good chance the bears could be sleeping.
If you don’t want to brave the cold temperatures but still want to get your panda fix, the Panda Cam will be operational soon. And for all you MCPS staff who want to take a field trip to see these new D.C. celebrities, you can click here to find all the information you need.
