It's unclear exactly when the bears will arrive in Washington, but there will likely be an extended quarantine and acclimation period before they are introduced to the public

The National Zoo's long dark panda drought is coming to an end.

China has been using so-called "panda diplomacy" since 1972

Two giant pandas departed China for a zoo in the US capital on Monday, a Chinese conservation group said in a statement.

BEIJING: Two giant pandas departed China for a zoo in the US capital on Monday (Oct 14), a Chinese conservation group said in a statement. Bao Li, a male panda, and female Qing Bao, both three years old, were headed to the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington under a decade-long breeding and

The National Zoo's long dark panda drought seems to be coming to an end. A pair of 3-year-old giant pandas, named Bao Li and Qing Bao, will soon be flown to Washington.

A pair of 3-year-old giant pandas, named Bao Li and Qing Bao, have left a research facility in southwestern China and will soon be flown to Washington, according to a statement by the China Wildlife Conservation Association