Washington, D.C

DC's panda drought ends as Bao Li and Qing Bao make National Zoo public debut

Published

12 months ago

January 24, 2025

DC's panda drought ends as Bao Li and Qing Bao make National Zoo public debut

DC’s pandas make National Zoo public debut

Washington, D.C.’s panda drought will end Friday when giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao make their public debut at the National Zoo.

WASHINGTON – Washington, D.C.’s panda drought will end Friday when three-year-old giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao make their public debut at the National Zoo.

New Habitat for Bao Li and Qing Bao

The pandas arrived from China last October, landing at Dulles International Airport. After their arrival, they were quarantined while the zoo prepared their new habitat on the Asia Trail. The renovated space includes climbing structures, water features, rockwork, a ventilation system, fencing, and new signage.

READ MORE: DC’s new giant pandas arrive at new home at National Zoo

Bao Li and Qing Bao to make National Zoo public debut

Washington, D.C.’s panda drought will end Friday when three year old giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao make their public debut at the National Zoo.

What we know:

10-Year Agreement

The pandas are part of a new 10-year agreement with Chinese authorities. The previous agreement expired in 2023, sparking concerns among American panda enthusiasts that Beijing might withdraw its furry ambassadors amid diplomatic tensions.

Pandas have been symbolic of the nation’s capital since 1972 when Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing were gifted by Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai following President Richard Nixon’s visit to China.

The terms of the current deal remain unclear, but previous agreements involved a $1 million annual fee per bear to the Chinese government. Cubs born in overseas zoos are typically returned to China before age four.

READ MORE: DC’s new pandas enjoy first Washington snowflakes, play in new enclosure

Panda fans can celebrate with limited-edition Metro SmartTrip cards available at select stations, including Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, Metro Center, and L’Enfant Plaza. Additionally, the Zoo will relaunch the Giant Panda Cam following Bao Li and Qing Bao’s public debut.

Admission to the National Zoo is free, but entry passes are required. You can reserve your time online.

READ MORE: Metro celebrates the return of giant pandas with limited-edition SmarTrip card

Here’s what we know about D.C.’s new pandas:

Bao Li | 宝力 (pronounced BOW-lee)

Male
Born Aug. 4, 2021

In Mandarin Chinese, “Bao” means ‘precious’ and ‘treasure’. “Li” refers to vitality and strength. Put together, “Bao Li” means an active and vital power.

Qing Bao | 青宝 (pronounced ching-BOW)

Female
Born Sept. 12, 2021

Her name means ‘green’ and ‘treasure’ in Mandarin Chinese. ‘Qing’ evokes the lush and mountainous habitat of pandas. ‘Bao,’ which means ‘precious’ and ‘treasure,’ reflects how cherished and adored she is.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press and FOX 5 reporting.

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Washington, D.C

Traffic changes in DC Monday evening for ‘Freedom 250′ fireworks show

Published

8 hours ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Traffic changes in DC Monday evening for ‘Freedom 250′ fireworks show

Numerous roads in D.C. will be closed to traffic Monday evening for a fireworks show celebrating America’s 25th birthday.

Projectors have lit up all four sides of the Washington Monument nightly since 7 p.m. Wednesday for the “Illumination of America: Washington Monument Lighting.” The fireworks that lit up the National Mall on New Year’s Eve are making a return Monday night, which is the last night of the display.

The grand finale of the display comes with some parking restrictions and street closures.

Street and parking restrictions for Freedom 250 fireworks

D.C. police said Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 17th Street NW will be an Emergency No Parking zone from roughly 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The following streets will be closed to traffic from approximately 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.:

Westbound 395 – no traffic toward Maine Avenue/Independence Avenue, SW
Independence Avenue from 15th Street to 23rd Street, SW
Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 12th Street, NW (westbound traffic will be restricted)
Constitution Avenue from 12th Street to 23rd Street, NW
Virginia Avenue from 20th Street to 18th Street, NW
19th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to New York Avenue, NW
15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Madison Drive from 7th Street to 14th Street, NW

Police said all street closures and listed times are subject to change.

“Freedom 250 is lighting up the Washington Monument as the world’s tallest birthday candle to kick off the nation’s 250th birthday year,” Keith Krach, CEO of Freedom 250, said ahead of the New Year’s Eve event.

Freedom 250 is the presidentially appointed committee planning the year-long celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday. It was created by the second Trump administration as part of the Department of the Interior, and is a separate organization from America250, which was created by Congress.

The event will “be looking at America’s past, present and what’s to come over the next 250 years,” Krach said.

“Primarily it will focus on the four pillars of Freedom 250, which is innovation; it’s also community and faith; it’s also on the beauty of our country as well,” Krach said. “And, you know, the other thing that’s great about that is that it’ll be something that will kind of be an animation and I think everybody’s going to enjoy it. So from adults to kids and everything.”

The event is free to the public, can be viewed from anywhere on the National Mall, and does not require tickets.

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Washington, D.C

Washington DC Pedestrian killed struck crash collision I-295 DC-295

Published

1 day ago

January 4, 2026

Press Room

Washington DC Pedestrian killed struck crash collision I-295 DC-295

WASHINGTON (7News) — On Saturday evening, Metropolitan Police Department’s Seventh District officers responded to a fatal crash on I-295 northbound near Exit 1 for Laboratory Road, Southwest.

The incident occurred around 7:50 p.m. when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle, police said.

READ MORE | Notorious 295 speed camera rakes in $26M, while DC residents question its legitimacy

Prince George’s County police officers were already on the scene when the MPD officers arrived.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities have not yet released the victim’s age or gender.

ALSO SEE | Woman killed after pedestrian-vehicle crash in Fairfax County

The driver of the vehicle involved in the collision remained at the scene.

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Police urge anyone with information about the incident to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.

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Washington, D.C

New bus service to begin soon between Hampton Roads and Washington, D.C.

Published

2 days ago

January 3, 2026

Press Room

New bus service to begin soon between Hampton Roads and Washington, D.C.

The United States military carried out a “large scale” strike inside the nation of Venezuela early Saturday morning, in addition to capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were flown out of the country.
https://www.wavy.com/news/national/virginia-leaders-speak-out-after-u-s-military-strike-on-venezuela/

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