Giant pandas arrive in DC aboard "Panda Express" plane from China

Washington DC - Two arrived at the Washington Zoo on Tuesday in the latest chapter in 's campaign of international "panda diplomacy."

A pair of 3-year-old Giant Pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, arrive on a FedEx Boeing 777 plane from China at Dulles International Airport on Tuesday in Dulles, VA. © KENT NISHIMURA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Bao Li, a male panda, and Qing Bao, a female, from Chengdu to Dulles airport in Virginia aboard a FedEx Boeing 777F cargo plane dubbed the "Panda Express," the Smithsonian National Zoo said.

The 3-year-old bears were then loaded onto trucks and taken to their new home at the zoo in the US capital.

"Bao Li and Qing Bao exited their crates and began exploring their new indoor enclosures, in which keepers placed ample bamboo for the bears to eat," a zoo statement said.

It said they will be quarantined for at least 30 days and will not go on public display until January 24, 2025.

"We're thrilled to welcome Bao Li and Qing Bao to Washington," said Brandie Smith, director of the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

"Today we joyfully celebrate of our 52-year-long giant panda breeding and conservation program."

Only a few of the beloved black-and-white bears remain in the US after almost all were returned to China in recent years under pre-arranged contracts – of the National Zoo's pandas last November.

Thank you to our partners at @FedEx for transporting the pandas safely to Washington, D.C. from China! Although the pandas aren’t on view yet, there are still plenty of ways to get in on the panda fun! Visit https://t.co/mcdrhDx45b to learn more!

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) October 15, 2024

A popular Giant Panda Cam will be relaunched once the bears make their public debut in January.