Bao Li
 Bao Li at the Smithsonian National Zoo in 2026 | |
| Species | Giant panda |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Born | August 4, 2021 Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, Sichuan, China |
| Residence | National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C. |
| Parent | Bao Bao (mother)
|
Bao Li (simplified Chinese: 宝力; traditional Chinese: 寶力; pinyin: Bǎo Lì; born August 4, 2021) is a male giant panda cub who is currently residing at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
Life
[edit]Bao Li was born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan, China, on August 4, 2021. Bao Li is the cub of Bao Bao, who was born at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.[1] He is the twin brother of Bao Yuan and the sibling of Dun Dun.[2]
In May 2024, it was announced that Bao Li and a female giant panda, Qing Bao, would be arriving at the National Zoo from China that year.[3] A FedEx plane carrying the two pandas arrived at Dulles International Airport on October 15, and they were subsequently transported to the National Zoo.[4] From January 10–19, 2025, Bao Li and Qing Bao were debuted during a special preview, where they were available to be viewed ahead of their official public debut by members of the National Zoo.[5][6]
The two pandas were received with much excitement at their public debut on January 24, 2025, where they were welcomed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, local kindergarteners, and a funk band.[7] Additionally, the National Zoo's Giant Panda Cam, a live webcam of the panda exhibit, was relaunched on January 24, 2025, allowing people around the world to view Bao Li and Qing Bao.[8] As of August 2026[update], Bao Li is still living at the National Zoo.[9]
Bao Li and Qing Bao have been given their own habitats at the National Zoo. Due to giant pandas being solitary creatures, the habitats are separated via a fenceline with mesh screens that the Smithsonian called "howdy" windows. In April 2026, the two pandas began to flirt through the "howdy" windows.[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "DC's panda family tree: Bao Li is the latest link at the National Zoo". October 15, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ↑ "Panda Bao Yuan: Qingcheng Mountain Little Lion". Panda Tribe. April 8, 2025.
- ↑ "Two New Giant Pandas Coming to Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute From China by End of the Year". May 29, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ↑ "New DC panda Bao Li's mom was a star at the National Zoo, too". October 15, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ↑ "Giant Pandas Will Make Their Public Debut Jan. 24 at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute". January 10, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ↑ "Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao make public debut at National Zoo". January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ↑ "Here they are — Bao Li and Qing Bao — DC's new giant pandas". January 24, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ↑ Walrath-Holdridge, Mary; Cann, Christopher (January 24, 2025). "Watch pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao live from National Zoo on Giant Panda Cam". Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ↑ "Happy 5th Birthday, Bao Li". National Zoo. August 4, 2026.
- ↑ Thompson, Laurie; Lally, Mariel (April 1, 2026). "Flirting Like a Panda: Spring Sparks for Bao Li and Qing Bao at the National Zoo". Smithsonian.
