Qing Bao

Qing Bao (studbook number 1421) is a female giant panda born on May 15, 2024 at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. Her mother is Xing Xing, and her father is the giant panda with studbook number 1145, consistent with the official records of the international giant panda breeding registry. She spent the first 12 months of her life in the care of specialist keepers at the Chinese breeding facility, where she reached key developmental milestones including first attempts at bamboo foraging and independent movement through the center’s simulated natural habitat enclosures.

On her first birthday, May 15, 2025, Qing Bao was transferred to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington D.C., as part of the long-standing collaborative giant panda conservation and breeding program between the Smithsonian Institution and Chinese wildlife management authorities. The transfer followed standard international animal transport protocols, with veterinary teams monitoring her health continuously throughout the journey to ensure minimal stress. Upon arrival at the U.S. zoo, she underwent a standard 30-day quarantine period before being introduced to her new permanent enclosure, which features mature bamboo plantings, climbing structures, and shaded forested areas designed to mimic the species’ native mountain habitat in central China.

As of 2025, Qing Bao is one of the youngest giant pandas in the North American captive population, and her arrival has generated widespread public interest. She exhibits typical juvenile giant panda behaviors, including regular exploratory play, extended periods of foraging on fresh bamboo sourced from regional suppliers, and occasional close interaction with her dedicated keeper team. She has become a core draw for visitors to the Smithsonian National Zoo, with regular public viewing hours and a dedicated 24/7 live camera stream that allows global audiences to observe her daily activities.

Qing Bao’s presence at the Smithsonian National Zoo supports multiple conservation-focused research initiatives, including ongoing studies of juvenile giant panda energy intake, behavioral adaptation to new environments, and visitor engagement with species protection messaging. Data collected from her care contributes to global best practices for captive giant panda management, and public outreach tied to her profile raises funds and awareness for habitat restoration projects targeting wild giant panda populations in the Qinling, Minshan, and Qionglai mountain ranges of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces in China.