Panda Couple Bao Li And Qing Bao Fly From China To US

By: EjazUlHaqBhat

Image: X/@NationalZoo

Two giant pandas arrived at the Washington zoo under 10-year breeding and research agreement, says a report

Image: X/@NationalZoo

Bao Li, a male panda, and Qing Bao, a female, were flown from Chengdu to Dulles airport in Virginia

Image: X/@NationalZoo

They were flown aboard a FedEx Boeing 777F cargo plane called the "Panda Express"

Image: X/@NationalZoo

The pandas were then loaded on to trucks and taken to their new home at Smithsonian National Zoo in the US capital

Image: X/@NationalZoo

They will be quarantined for at least 30 days and will not go on public display until January 24 next year, a zoo statement said

Image: X/@NationalZoo

In August, the San Diego zoo welcomed two new giant pandas, the first to be sent by China to the United States in 21 years

Image: X/@NationalZoo

Renovations have been carried out at the National Zoo's panda habitat to enhance the safety of the facilities and maximize space for the bears to roam

Image: X/@NationalZoo

The new structures constructed for the pandas include shallow pools to allow them to bathe and bamboo stands 

Image: X/@NationalZoo

A popular Giant Panda Cam will be relaunched once the bears make their public debut in January

Image: X/@NationalZoo

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