A Very Special Pandaversary 🐼

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌   ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  Giant panda Ling-Ling enjoying the outside yard in her habitat at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Photograph by Jessie Cohen, 1985. Dear Friend, Today marks the 50th anniversary of giant pandas making their way to the Smithsonian! On April 16, 1972, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The pair of giant pandas were a gift from China to the American people, and the Smithsonian was selected by President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon as the perfect place to share this treasure with the nation. Over the past five decades, the Zoo’s beloved pandas-in-residence have not only delighted millions of visitors, but also fostered unprecedented achievements in the conservation, breeding, and study of their species. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute will be celebrating this momentous "pandaversary" with on-site events through August 2022. You can also join in on the panda-monium at home with fun facts, a bit of history, and virtual panda visits. The Giant Panda 50th Anniversary celebration at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is made possible with the support of Boeing. The Giant Panda Cam is made possible with the support of Chase. Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, the first panda pair to make their home at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in 1972. Watch adorable footage of the giant pandas who have called the Zoo home in a video highlighting the successful conservation work that has taken place over the past 50 years. See a timeline of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s giant panda breeding, research, and conservation program — from the first pandas in 1972 to the Zoo’s "little miracle," Xiao Qi Ji. Discover 50 fascinating facts about giant panda behavior, biology, life at the Zoo, and more from Smithsonian magazine. Check in on the adventures of 19-month-old Xiao Qi Ji and his parents Mei Xiang and Tian Tian anytime on the Giant Panda Cam! Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji celebrated his first birthday in August of 2021 with a tasty frozen heart "cake" made of diluted apple juice. People from around the world tuned in to watch the festivities! Follow along with even more fun taking place online and at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by using the hashtags #GP50 and #Pandaversary! The Smithsonian is able to share joyful celebrations, amazing natural wonders, and groundbreaking discoveries with the world because of generous supporters like you. Thank you for ensuring that the treasures of the Smithsonian are accessible to everyone, everywhere. Support Your Smithsonian » © 2022 Smithsonian Institution 1000 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560 Unsubscribe Privacy Policy