America's panda bears - at the National Zoo - return to China, ending 51-year relationship (Now anything Panda) (1 Viewer)

[superchuck500]

Nixon's visit to China in 1972 was a landmark event for many reasons in both geopolitics and US foreign policy. A side thread from that visit was a conversation between First Lady Pat Nixon and the Chinese premier about her love of pandas. As a gesture of goodwill, China sent over a pair of pandas to live at the National Zoo in Washington. Because the zoo, run by the Smithsonian, is also a research zoo, the arrival of the pandas opened a new cooperation between the Chinese and American zoologists to study pandas, including their breeding. Meanwhile, the pandas became icons of the National Zoo, celebrated residents of Washington D.C., and beloved by many Americans.

When the original pair (a gift from China) died without any surviving heirs (they produced five cubs but none survived to adulthood), China sent a second pair in 2000 - but they were on loan as part of a scientific cooperative agreement that required the pandas return to China after 10 years. The agreement has been extended a couple of times but now, perhaps as a sign of the deteriorated relationship and goodwill between the two countries, the agreement will expire next month and has not been renewed.

The pandas, including their 3-year old cub, will go to China next month by air, and this 51-year project will be over. The only other pandas in the US now are at the Atlanta zoo, also on loan from China.

https://wapo.st/3Qivn8m

The History of Giant Pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Explore a detailed history and timeline of giant pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

nationalzoo.si.edu

https://wapo.st/3Qivn8m

 

[superchuck500]

Gonna be some sad pandas on that plane.

 

[Optimus Prime]

I seem to remember a lot of excitement when the Panda (LingLing?) was pregnant with name the cub contests

 

[urzombiefood]

You guys act like we can't Jurassic park this thing.

 

[efil4stnias]

We will always have Panda

 

[Optimus Prime]

You guys act like we can't Jurassic park this thing.

Thinking more like a Trading Places solution

 

[Farb]

We (humans) need to just let them (pandas) get on with it and go extinct all ready.

 

[Zztop]

We (humans) need to just let them (pandas) get on with it and go extinct all ready.

 

[0rion]

 

[bclemms]

 

[Zztop]

This is officially now a panda topic

 

[faceman]

This has always been a favorite of mine.

 

[Optimus Prime]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — China plans to send a new pair of giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo, renewing its longstanding gesture of friendship toward the United States after nearly all the iconic bears on loan to U.S. zoos were returned as relations began to sour between the two nations.

San Diego Zoo officials told The Associated Press that if all permits and other requirements are approved, two bears, a male and a female, are expected to arrive as early as the end of summer, about five years after the zoo sent its last pandas back to China.

“We’re very excited and hopeful,” said Megan Owen of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and vice president of Wildlife Conservation Science. “They’ve expressed a tremendous amount of enthusiasm to re-initiate panda cooperation starting with the San Diego Zoo.”…..

Black and white and adored all over. China pledges pair of pandas for San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo will be welcoming a new pair of giant pandas from China in a gesture of friendship, officials tell the Associated Press.

apnews.com

 

[nolaspe]