Crowds at Washington zoo bid farewell to beloved pandas

Record ID: 1750100

  • Title: Crowds at Washington zoo bid farewell to beloved pandas
  • Date: 7th November 2023
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES NOVEMBER 7, 2023) (REUTERS) WIDE OF PEOPLE CROWDING NEAR PANDA ENCLOSURE TAKING PICTURES PANDA PLAYING WITH ORANGE PLASTIC CONTAINER BACK VIEW OF RAHEEL ANSARI AND HIS FAMILY LOOKING AT PANDA ENCLOSURE (SOUNDBITE) (English) VISITOR TO THE ZOO, RAHEEL ANSARI, SAYING: "They're majestic animals. And, you know, this is a once in a lifetime to se
  • Embargoed: 21st November 2023 22:31
  • Keywords: China National Zoo Pat Nixon Washington farewell pandas zoo
  • Location: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Environment,North America,Nature/Wildlife
  • Reuters ID: LVA004635907112023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Crowds gathered in Washington on Tuesday (November 7) for a chance to say farewell to the National Zoo's three giant pandas who are due to return to China imminently.
    Among the many zoo-goers at a farewell festival dubbed "Panda Palooza", several said their visits to see the roly-poly creatures had become a family tradition.
    "They're majestic animals. It's our third time in the last month and I'm enjoying every minute of it," visitor Raheel Ansari said.
    Several visitors to the zoo wiped away tears as they jostled for a final selfie with pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji - who have become beloved Washington icons during their time in Washington.
    The zoo's giant panda program began in 1972, when Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai loaned two pandas to the United States soon after President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China that year.
    The zoo's current pandas will be going back as the Smithsonian Institution's current agreement with the Chinese government expires.
    The zoo did not say whether it has any immediate plans to try to acquire more giant pandas, but said on its website that it "hopes to continue this work in the future."
    (Production: Greg Savoy, Gershon Peaks and Deborah Gembara)
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