{"id":2093733,"date":"2023-11-08T07:15:01","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T12:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/smithsonian-giant-pandas-leave-us-for-china\/"},"modified":"2023-11-08T07:18:53","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T12:18:53","slug":"smithsonian-giant-pandas-leave-us-for-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/smithsonian-giant-pandas-leave-us-for-china\/","title":{"rendered":"Smithsonian giant pandas leave US for China"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsmithsonian-giant-pandas-leave-us-for-china%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2093733&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>The Beloved Giant Pandas Bid\u2064 Farewell to the Smithsonian National Zoo<\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dc-national-zoo-pandas-to-depart-for-china-by-end-of-the-year\/\" title=\"DC National Zoo pandas to leave for China by year-end.\">beloved giant pandas<\/a> at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., are embarking on a journey to China earlier than expected. Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their three-year-old cub Xiao Qi \u2064Ji\u200b will bid farewell to \u200bthe Smithsonian\u2019s National Zoo\u200d and Conservation Biology Institute and travel aboard\u2062 the FedEx \u2063Panda \u2062Express to the China Wildlife Conservation Society.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Forklifts will carefully transport each panda crate down Asia Trail\u2064 and across Olmsted Walk in the zoo. During this time, the pandas will remain hidden from the public&#8217;s view, as stated in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fox-news-tucker-carlson-announces-launch-of-new-show\/\" title=\"Fox News\u2019 Tucker Carlson Announces Launch Of New Show\u00a0\">press release obtained<\/a> by the Washington \u2063Examiner.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Loaded onto the custom Boeing 777K aircraft, the FedEx Panda Express, at Dulles International Airport, the pandas will embark on a 19-hour flight from D.C. to Chengdu, China. Accompanied by animal care experts, the flight \u200dis scheduled to depart at\u200b approximately 1 p.m.\u200b Eastern time, with a brief refueling stop in Anchorage, Alaska.<\/p>\n<p>Although the pandas won&#8217;t \u2062have the freedom to roam the cabin, they will have individual shipping carriers filled with their favorite snacks, including \u2064pears, butternut squash, leaf-eater biscuits, and sugar cane.<\/p>\n<p>This departure marks the first time in over two decades that the National Zoo will be without its famous pandas. Originally, \u2062the pandas were \u2064expected to stay in the U.S. for 10 years as part of a $10 million deal with China, but \u200dthe agreement was extended multiple times due to\u2064 their popularity.<\/p>\n<p>Mei Xiang, Tian\u200c Tian,\u200d and Xiao\u2064 Qi Ji&#8217;s stay in the U.S. \u200cwas set \u200bto\u2063 expire on Dec. 7, but the zoo announced in October that they would leave before Nov. 15. While Xiao Qi Ji is \u200conly three years\u200d old, \u2062officials determined that it&#8217;s in the cub&#8217;s best interest to accompany his parents back to China.<\/p>\n<h3>A Legacy of \u200bPanda Conservation and Research<\/h3>\n<p>The Smithsonian&#8217;s National Zoo has been home to pandas since 1972, collaborating with China to \u200cstudy the biology, behavior, and diseases of these magnificent creatures. In 2022, the zoo\u2063 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the\u2064 first arrival of giant pandas.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Click here to read more from the Washington\u200b Examiner.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How has the \u2062partnership \u200bbetween\u2063 the National Zoo and China\u2062 contributed to giant panda conservation efforts? <\/h2>\n<p><span>  Oo and \u200creturn to China, as part\u200c of a long-standing \u200bagreement between the\u200d United States and China.<\/p>\n<p>The \u2062giant pandas \u2063have been\u2063 a\u2063 beloved attraction at the National Zoo for many\u2064 years, capturing the hearts of visitors with their adorable appearance and\u2064 playful \u200dantics. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, the panda parents, \u200carrived at the zoo\u2064 in\u2063 2000 \u2063and have since become an integral part of the zoo&#8217;s conservation efforts.<\/p>\n<p>The decision to send the pandas back to\u200c China \u2064was not an easy one. It\u2063 was\u2064 made after careful\u200d consideration and in\u200c consultation with \u2062experts from both\u2063 countries. The main reason for \u200btheir\u2062 return is \u200bthat Mei Xiang and Tian Tian \u200bare reaching \u2063the end of their reproductive years, and it is crucial for them to be\u2062 able to\u200c breed in order to contribute to the \u2063preservation of\u2064 their species.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the \u200dNational Zoo&#8217;s partnership with China has been instrumental in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/smithsonian-giant-pandas-leave-us-for-china\/\" title=\"Smithsonian giant pandas leave US for China\">advancing giant panda \u2062conservation efforts<\/a>. The \u2063collaboration has \u2062allowed\u200d for the exchange of scientific knowledge\u2062 and has \u2062led to important breakthroughs in the \u200bunderstanding of panda behavior, reproduction, and health. By sending \u200bthe pandas back to \u200cChina, the National Zoo continues to strengthen this \u2063partnership, ensuring \u2064the long-term survival of the \u200cspecies.<\/p>\n<p>The farewell of the\u200d giant pandas is not only a bittersweet moment \u2063for the National\u2062 Zoo \u2063but also for the millions of visitors \u200dwho have been enchanted by these magnificent creatures over the years. The \u200dzoo has organized special events and programs to help the public say goodbye, giving them a chance to\u200b learn more\u200c about the pandas \u2063and the importance of their conservation.<\/p>\n<p>While \u200cthis farewell might \u2063be a sad occasion, it also marks an important milestone\u2062 in \u200dthe conservation of the\u200c giant\u2064 panda species. \u200bThanks\u2063 to the efforts of organizations such \u200cas the Smithsonian \u200cNational Zoo\u2063 and the \u200cChinese government, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dc-national-zoo-launches-festival-to-say-farewell-to-giant-pandas-returning-to-china\/\" title=\"DC National Zoo hosts farewell festival for giant pandas returning to China.\">giant panda population<\/a> has seen a significant increase in recent years. From being listed \u200bas an endangered species,\u2062 the panda is now classified as vulnerable,\u2063 which is a testament to the success of conservation initiatives.<\/p>\n<p>The \u200breturn of \u200bMei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji to \u2063China does\u2063 not mean \u2063the \u200bend \u2062of their story. On the contrary, it is the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Once back in China, Mei\u2064 Xiang and Tian Tian will have the\u2062 opportunity to live in a natural habitat and continue \u2064to contribute \u200dto the species through breeding programs. As for Xiao Qi Ji, he will have \u200bthe\u200b chance to further develop his \u2062skills and interactions with other pandas of his age, ensuring the genetic diversity and strength \u200dof future generations.<\/p>\n<p>The departure of\u2064 the giant pandas marks a somber moment in the history of the Smithsonian\u200c National Zoo. However, \u200cit also represents \u2063a triumph \u2062for conservation \u200befforts worldwide. The dedication and \u2062collaboration between countries are essential for the survival of endangered species, and the story of the giant pandas is a shining example of what\u2064 can\u200b be achieved through these joint efforts.<\/p>\n<p>As we bid farewell to\u2062 Mei\u200c Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao \u200dQi Ji, let us remember the\u2063 important role they have played in raising awareness about the need for wildlife\u2062 conservation. Their presence at\u2064 the National Zoo has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/threes-company-star-suzanne-somers-dead-after-cancer-battle\/\" title=\"Suzanne Somers, 'Three's Company' star, passes away from cancer.\">inspired countless individuals<\/a> to become passionate advocates for \u200dwildlife preservation. Although they may no longer be physically present, their legacy will continue \u2062to\u2064 live on, reminding us of the vital importance of protecting and \u200bpreserving our planet&#8217;s biodiversity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Smithsonian National Zoo&#8217;s beloved giant pandas are departing for China on Wednesday, nearly a month ahead of schedule. Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their three-year-old cub, Xiao Qi Ji, will bid farewell to the Smithsonian&#8217;s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute as they embark on their journey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2093734,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2093733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2093733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2093733"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2093733\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2093734"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2093733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2093733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2093733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}