Bao Bao (born August 23, 2013) is a female giant panda. She lived at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. until February 2017, when she was moved to China. She is located at the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province. She is the sister of Tai Shan, Bei Bei, and Xiao Qi Ji.
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Life
Bao Bao was born on August 23, 2013, at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. The cub of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, Bao Bao is a result of artificial insemination of Mei Xiang on March 30, 2013. In 2013, a record number of giant panda cubs were born in zoos around the world. In addition to Bao Bao, other giant panda cubs born in 2013 include Yuan Zai in Taiwan, twin cubs Mei Lun and Mei Huan at Zoo Atlanta, Fu Bao at Zoo Vienna, and Xing Bao at Zoo Madrid.
Bao Bao is the sister of Bei Bei, Tai Shan, and Xiao Qi Ji.
Naming ceremony and debut
Bao Bao was named 100 days after her birth. Her name was chosen by voters through the Smithsonian's website. Five names were submitted by Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai, U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke, National Zoo panda keepers and its affiliate, Friends of the National Zoo, and the Wolong National Nature Reserve. The five choices for names were Bao Bao, Ling Hua, Long Yun, Mulan, and Zhen Bao.
Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States, and Peng Liyuan, First Lady of China, each sent video messages that were played during the naming ceremony. Bao Bao made her public debut at the National Zoo on January 18, 2014.
Life at the National Zoo
Bao Bao celebrated her first birthday on August 23, 2014, with a giant birthday cake made of frozen fruits and sweet potatoes. Crowds of visitors gathered at the National Zoo to celebrate her birthday.
On the afternoon of December 23, 2014, Bao Bao climbed a tree after touching a hot wire, which the National Zoo uses to keep animals in captivity. Responding to inquiries from concerned members of the public, the National Zoo stated that this was a natural reaction to the hot wire, and that Bao Bao was safe and comfortable in the tree. After over 24 hours in the tree, Bao Bao safely climbed down on her own the following day.
Life in China
Bao Bao remained at the National Zoo until February 21, 2017, when she was sent to China due to a breeding agreement between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the National Zoo. Since 2021, she has been located at the Wolong National Nature Reserve. Bao Bao gave birth to a female cub named Dun Dun on July 29, 2020, as well as twin male cubs Bao Li and Bao Yuan on August 4, 2021.