Two giant pandas named Bao Li and Qing Bao were transported from China to Washington, D.C.’s Smithsonian National Zoo on a customized “Panda Express” Boeing 777F plane provided by FedEx. The pandas, whose names mean “precious vigor” and “green treasure,” arrived at Dulles International Airport on Tuesday morning after starting their journey the day before. The bears were safely escorted to the zoo in specially-designed crates with a police escort. This delivery came almost a year after several pandas had to be returned to China due to failed negotiations.
Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of NZCBI, expressed excitement over the arrival of Bao Li and Qing Bao in a press release, stating that the team had worked tirelessly to prepare for their arrival. The Smithsonian National Zoo is home to over 2,200 species of animals and is free for visitors to enter. The successful transportation of the pandas to the U.S. was seen as a demonstration of FedEx’s commitment to connecting communities through their global network, according to Richard W. Smith, the company’s chief operating officer.
After their journey, Bao Li and Qing Bao will be quarantined for at least thirty days in the panda house at the zoo. They are scheduled to make their public debut on January 24, 2025. This event is highly anticipated, as the pandas will be the only ones of their kind in the nation that visitors can see for free. The pandas’ arrival marks a new chapter for the Smithsonian National Zoo, following the return of several other pandas to China the previous year.
The safe delivery of the pandas was made possible by the efforts of FedEx, which once again served as the trusted transportation provider for such precious cargo. The pandas’ journey was carried out aboard the FedEx Panda Express, a plane specially designated for transporting animals like Bao Li and Qing Bao. This high-profile delivery was a testament to FedEx’s commitment to ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of animals around the world.
The Smithsonian National Zoo, sitting on 163 acres in Washington, D.C., is home to various species of animals and offers free entry to the public. Bao Li and Qing Bao’s presence at the zoo adds to the diversity of animals that visitors can see during their visit. The arrival of the pandas marks an exciting moment for the zoo and highlights the ongoing efforts to promote conservation and education about these endangered animals.
Overall, the successful delivery of Bao Li and Qing Bao to their new home at the Smithsonian National Zoo signifies a new chapter in the zoo’s history. The pandas’ arrival was made possible by the collaborative efforts of FedEx and the zoo’s team, who worked diligently to ensure the safe transportation and quarantine of the animals. As the pandas prepare to make their public debut, visitors eagerly await the opportunity to see these rare and beloved animals up close.
