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National Zoo Hosts ‘Pandaversary’ to Celebrate 50 Years of Giant Pandas

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The Smithsonian’s National Zoo marked the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first giant pandas at its facility on April 16, National Panda Day, and started a six-month celebration.

The arrival of Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing in 1972 kicked off a decades-long giant panda program at the Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

As Washington DC icons and symbols of saving species through international collaboration and conservation science, giant pandas, will be honored at 50th ‘Pandaversary’ events, which will run from March through August.

The program that consists of both in-person and online events include Pandaversary Party at the Zoo, scheduled for April 16 and April 17. It will feature lion dance performances, live music, panda-themed activities, and special treats from the Chinese Embassy. 

The Zoo will also hold online birthday parties for mother panda Mei Xiang (July 22), Xiao Qi Ji, who is the youngest panda at the facility, (August 21), and the panda dad Tian Tian (August 27).

“After 50 years, giant pandas remain an iconic species for our Zoo,” said Brandie Smith, John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. “More importantly, they represent how great conservation outcomes can be achieved through great partnerships with our Chinese colleagues. Being able to introduce hundreds of millions of people worldwide to pandas and inspiring them to care about their conservation for five decades, coupled with our scientific breakthroughs, is a milestone truly worth celebrating.”

Other events that are part of the 50 year anniversary include:

  • April 7: National Head Start goes to the National Zoo for a virtual field trip to meet the Zoo’s giant panda family.
  • April 8: Pandaversary: 50 Years of Conservation and Cuteness collection. The Smithsonian invites panda fans to shop online for a selection of limited-edition merchandise.
  • April 16 and 17: The world premiere of the Smithsonian Channel’s documentary on the Zoo’s giant panda program, “The Miracle Panda,” will be screened for a limited time at the Zoo’s Visitor Center Theater. This screening is free and open to the public.
  • April 16: Pandaversary. From 9 am to 2 pm, visitors can enjoy lion dance performances, panda-shaped Bao buns and calligraphy demonstrations, courtesy of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, speak with the Zoo’s scientists who study giant panda biology and ecology, and see the pandas receive special enrichment treats.
  • April 17: Pandaversary: From 10 am to noon, visitors can enjoy a performance by Dong Xi, a musical collaboration between award-winning percussionist Tom Teasley and renowned Chinese dulcimer artist Chao Tian. The Zoo’s giant pandas also will receive enrichment treats as part of the celebration.
  • April 21: Celebrating 50 Panda-mazing Years: Experts behind the pandas tell about their work relating to giant pandas in this panel-format program.

For further details on the events, click here.

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