PANDAS, SMITHSONIAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK

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Location: Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington, DC, United States
Source: www.nationalzoo.si.edu
Info: Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji departed from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in November 2023 and are now living in China.

More info: Ever since the first giant pandas arrived at the Zoo in 1972, animal care staff and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists have studied giant panda biology, behavior, breeding, reproduction, disease, ecology, and habitat in order to advance conservation efforts around the world.

The Giant panda, (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), also called a panda bear, inhabits the cool, wet bamboo forests in the mountains of central China.

Giant pandas stand around 750 cms high and weigh up to 150kgs. Life span is about 15 to 20 years in the wild and 30 years in captivity. Female pandas give birth to one or two cubs every two years. Baby pandas are born pink and only measure about 15cms. They are born blind and only open their eyes six to eight weeks after birth.