19 Facts About Bao Bao

Bao Bao is a female giant panda cub who was born at the National Zoo in Washington, DC She lived at the Zoo for four years until February 2017.

Bao Bao is currently located at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Sichuan Province.

Bao Bao is the sister of Tai Shan, Bei Bei and Xiao Qi Ji.

Giant pandas are listed as a vulnerable species, and are protected in part by conservation efforts at reservations and in zoos such as the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC Bao Bao is one of only several hundred giant pandas alive today in captivity, among fewer than 2,000 giant pandas in the world, the first surviving panda cub born at the National Zoo since Tai Shan in 2005.

Bao Bao's name was chosen by voters through the Smithsonian's website.

Bao Bao's birth, naming ceremony, and travel to China in 2017 are part of China's panda diplomacy.

Bao Bao did not yet consistently respond as an adult giant panda would, even to her mother Mei's unique bleat.

Bao Bao had learned to follow Mei outside most days, and was rarely carried out any more.

Bao Bao was being trained in targeting behaviors; she was touching her nose to a target at about five months.

Bao Bao started raiding Mei's bamboo supply and sampling it, another major milestone.

Bao Bao celebrated her first birthday on August 23,2014, with a giant birthday cake made of frozen fruits and vegetables.

On Thursday, February 19,2015, in an online news release by her keepers at the National Zoo's David M Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat and Panda House, found on the National Zoo's website in the "Meet Our Animals" section, on the Giant Panda page news updates, it was stated that Bao Bao is about 18 months- a year and a half- old, another major milestone.

Bao Bao started the weaning process naturally a few months ago, and now she's eating significantly more bamboo and solid foods.

Bao Bao eats separately from Mei Xiang and spends about 6 hours separated from her each day.

Bao Bao has been doing well during the time she spends apart from Mei.

Bao Bao celebrated her second birthday on August 23,2015, one day after her mother Mei Xiang gave birth to twin pandas on August 22,2015.

Bao Bao remained at the National Zoo until February 21,2017, when she was sent to China; she is currently located at the Wolong National Nature Reserve.

Bao Bao gave birth to a female giant panda cub named Dou Ban on July 29,2020, at the Wolong National Nature Reserve Shenshuping Panda Center.

Bao Li and Qing Bao arrived at the National Zoo on October 15,2024, and made their public debut on January 24,2025.