Smithsonian National Zoo Future of Pandas at the National Zoo

S

Shirokuma

Well-Known Member
Does anyone know what the future is for giant pandas at the zoo? I was thinking that the present pandas arrived in 2000, does that mean that the lease runs out next year? If so what will happen then?

Thanks!
 
Wasn't the lease extended? With the amazing giant panda exhibits (the best BY FAR of the 4 zoos in the United States with pandas) recently opened as part of the Asia Trail zone then the zoo must be confident of keeping such iconic and popular animals.
 
It was looking at pictures of the Asia Trail panda exhibits and comparing it with the other enclosures in the United States which made me think of this.

It's a great looking exhibit and there are some beautiful pictures of the autumn foliage at the moment.

It would make sense for the lease to be extended.
 
Is it just the one cub they have had whilst there? Has thier first one now returned to China?
 
Yes, Thai Shan is their only cub. And no, he's still at NZ. There was an interesting article on that matter in The Washington Post this April:

The Panda Paradox
 
Thanks for this very interesting article Jola.

It really makes me question current policy on pandas. I'm not sure how I feel about it, it obviously raises lots of money for programmes in China but if they were treated like a 'normal' species in terms of breeding programmes and loans between zoos I wonder if there would be greater success.
 
Shirokuma said:
Thanks for this very interesting article Jola.

It really makes me question current policy on pandas. I'm not sure how I feel about it, it obviously raises lots of money for programmes in China but if they were treated like a 'normal' species in terms of breeding programmes and loans between zoos I wonder if there would be greater success.
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But the Chinese don't need any help with breeding them. Thus there reluctance to give panda’s away willy nilly.
 
But I read that the captive population needs to be higher in order to be viable and should be spread out around the world - having most of them in one country makes them vulnerable to a natural disaster or disease for example.
 
Shirokuma said:
but if they were treated like a 'normal' species in terms of breeding programmes and loans between zoos I wonder if there would be greater success.
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I agree. The Chinese ruling the animals can't be transferred between Zoos is obviously creating a potential hindrance to more successful breeding. For example, if, as stated, San Diego's male 'GaoGao' is genetically more important(and more experienced at mating) than Washington's own male, then sending Washington's female to San Diego(or vice versa) for a mating attempt would seem a good idea, as natural mating, if successful is known to produce a higher % chance of successful pregnancy.

Instead they have to make do with AI- and still using the less preferable male.
 
This is the main issue I have Pertinax. Preventing this kind of exchange of animals in the panda 'diaspora' makes me think that conservation isn't the ultimate motive of the present system.
 
Shirokuma said:
This is the main issue I have Pertinax. Preventing this kind of exchange of animals in the panda 'diaspora' makes me think that conservation isn't the ultimate motive of the present system.
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I am sure China want to keep 100% control on all the Pandas outside China. Hence the reason they are on longterm/paid loan,(rentapanda) and all cubs born are reclaimed by China. So while breeding them outside China is a plus for the zoos concerned, the Chinese authorities are not exactly encouraging it, it seems.
 
Apologies for bumping an old thread, but can't find similar discussion.
Do someone knows the status of the Giant Pandas in National zoo ? If I am correct, the current contract expired in December 2019. Did they sign new agreement with China or the political situation is too tense now and the question is "on-hold" ?
 
Andrew_NZP said:
The current agreement ends December 7th of this year.

A Brief History of Giant Pandas at the Zoo
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Kiss that agreement potentially goodbye I guess, given the current happy, happy relationship the national administration has with PR China?! I hope I am mistaken though, but it is not looking good, is it not!?

Any other noteworthy news aside from giant pandas and elephants coming out of NZP in Washington DC?
 
I'm a member, so I post anything I get in case it's content others might not get; these tend to be more in-depth stories about individual animals, but they are sometimes newsworthy too, as in Shanthi's arthritis or Bozie's illness of 2013 or the specifics of a panda AI. Andrew always has his ear on Twitter and posts news immediately. Between us, I think we tend to cover what news there is. Right now, the only way to know more would be for volunteers or keepers to share what they know, and that might not be likely.

ZooChatters at the time strongly suspected that the SD bears were sent home before their agreement had expired, and there was absolutely no doubt that is was a sudden and unhappy surprise to SDZ. If there was any doubt, when the preparations and departure were shown on The Zoo, everyone involved looked very rattled, and Bai Yun's keeper somewhat stammered about why they were returning at that time, and the phrase they had clearly been given to use was, "It's time," suggesting time for a return to their ancestral home. If the DC bears are suddenly recalled before December, we'll be quite sure this has to do with a breakdown in (panda) diplomacy. Possible virus developments should only delay their return, not hasten it, so that might be another sign. The results on the election in November could have some bearing on this decision too.

As for elephants, I am somewhat nervous every time I see an NZP alert, because I'm afraid it will be news of Shanthi's demise. Her death would truly be much more difficult--for me at least-- having not had the chance to see her in so long.
 
Do you guys think the lack of income could also cause Memphis and Atlanta to lose their pandas? Isn't $1M for each panda per year or something like that?
 
I think these figures will have to change due to the global recession. Zoos won't be able to afford the current prices; donors pay a fair portion, but the Zoo's çontribution is almost certainly being tapped for operating expenses right now. I imagine all panda zoos will.be affected to different degrees. China will have no choice but to reduce fees. It's not as if there will other bidders who can snap up available bears at former prices. They'll have the choice of getting smaller fees or no fees.
 
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