Bei Bei, the giant panda born four years ago at Smithsonian's National Zoo, spent his final moments at his first home chewing on snacks before heading to China.
Published 12:22 PM EST Nov 19, 2019It's one of his last snacks in the United States before he travels some 15 hours to China.McGrath, 68, is one of the dozens of people gathered at the giant panda exhibit at Smithsonian's National Zoo before Bei Bei, the cub born here four years ago, leaves for China as part of a research and breeding program.
It's not the first time zoo officials and FedEx have sent off a young panda. His two siblings have also made the long trek overseas. Zookeepers have recently been acclimating him to his travel crate, as well, so he will be comfortable on the long trip. Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing arrived in April and lived at the zoo for 20 years. However, they never produced cubs that survived, and both died in the 1990s.
Conservation and research efforts by the zoo and its partners in China have helped boost the species numbers, and Bei Bei moving to China to breed once he becomes sexually mature in a couple of years will further these efforts, the zoo says. "It's such a rare thing to see a giant panda," says Karl Rand, 28, of Wyoming, who was visiting the zoo for the first time.Visitors at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., watch as Bei Bei enjoys a snack on Nov. 18, 2019.It's no coincidence people love Bei Bei."We are biologically programmed to think that giant pandas are cute," Smith says. With their round features and patches around their eyes, it's an instinct to be drawn to them.
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National Zoo hosts 'Bye Bye, Bei Bei' ahead of the giant panda's being sent to ChinaBYE BYE , BEI BEI: One of three giant pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., enjoyed some special treats before heading to China. An agreement states that a panda must be sent to China for breeding purposes after age four.
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