In a significant development, the two revered giant pandas residing at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo have officially commenced their journey back to their homeland, China. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, these beloved symbols of international diplomacy, had been on a two-decade-long loan to the United States, serving as a living testament to the enduring goodwill between nations.
Their three-year-old cub, Xiao Qi Ji, who captured the hearts of many during their stay, will accompany the venerable pair on their return voyage. This pivotal transition is taking place as part of a research agreement, initially set to expire early next month.
The logistics of this transcontinental journey are as remarkable as the pandas themselves. Today, the giant pandas will be gingerly transported in a secure crate, skillfully maneuvered by a forklift out of the zoo. From there, they will embark on a 19-hour flight to their new home in a panda reserve located in Chengdu, nestled within China’s Sichuan province. The journey itself will be carried out on a 777F plane aptly named the “FedEx Panda Express.”
The presence of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian in the United States, which began in 2000, has not only fostered cultural exchange but also represented the symbolic diplomacy known as “panda diplomacy.” This legacy began in 1972 when the US received its first pandas from China, following Richard Nixon’s expression of admiration for these majestic creatures to then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.
Panda experts, in agreement with this transition, have highlighted that Mei Xiang and Tian Tian have reached the age where repatriation to China is not only appropriate but also essential for their well-being. “They are at the age when they should be in China,” stressed Melissa Songer, a distinguished conservation biologist at the Smithsonian National Zoo. “I don’t want to have a panda pass away outside of China.”
With the departure of these iconic pandas, the Atlanta Zoo will become the sole repository of giant pandas in the United States, with plans for their return to China slated for the upcoming year. In the interim, the National Zoo is contemplating a request to Chinese officials for a new pair of pandas, although the prevailing geopolitical climate has given rise to speculation regarding the likelihood of another diplomatic agreement between the US and China.
