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IN PHOTOS: Giant pandas in Washington, D.C. through the years

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IN PHOTOS: Giant pandas in Washington, D.C. through the years


The end is near for arguably the best tourist attraction at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

Three giant pandas that have been on loan from China — with two of the three having lived at the zoo for more than two decades — are set to return to their homeland.

Tian Tian, age 26; Mei Xiang, age 25; and Xiao Qi Ji, age 3, will travel by plane back to China in late November or early December, with the zoo saying they’ll be leaving by Dec. 7.

The pandas are currently in Washington, D.C. because of a loan agreement established between the zoo and the Chinese government.

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A 2000 agreement stipulated that Mei Xiang and Tian Tian would live at the zoo for 10 years in exchange for $10 million, according to the zoo’s website.

The arrangement was extended to 2015, 2020 and then again to 2023.

Xiao Qi Ji was born to Mei Xiang and Tian Tian on Aug. 21, 2020.

In late August, all three pandas celebrated their birthdays, the last time the zoo put on birthday celebrations for them before they depart.

Below are photos of the pandas through the years from Getty Images.

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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 21: Male giant panda Xiao Qi Ji relaxes in his enclosure during his second birthday at the Smithsonian National Zoo on August 21, 2022 in Washington, DC. Xiao Qi Ji is the fourth surviving cub of pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. This year the National Zoo is marking 50 years since the first giant pandas came to DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (2022 Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 21: Male giant panda Xiao Qi Ji eats an ice cake for his second birthday at the Smithsonian National Zoo on August 21, 2022 in Washington, DC. Xiao Qi Ji is the fourth surviving cub of pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian. This year the National Zoo is marking 50 years since the first giant pandas came to DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (2022 Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 22: Female giant panda Mei Xiang eats an ice cake for her 24th birthday at the Smithsonian National Zoo on July 22, 2022 in Washington, DC. This year the National Zoo is marking 50 years since the first the giant pandas came to DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) (2022 Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 20: 22-year-old female giant panda Mei Xiang eats bamboo at the Smithsonian National Zoo on May 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Smithsonian National Zoo will reopen to the public starting on Friday, May 21st after being closed since November 2020 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) (2021 Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 22: Giant panda cub Bei Bei (L) plays with his mother Mei Xiang (R) at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park August 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. The youngest giant panda cub turns one today. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (2016 Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: Tian Tian, the 275-pound male giant panda at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, moves around in his outdoor enclosure the day after the death of a six-day-old panda cub at the zoo September 24, 2012 in Washington, DC. The preliminary necropsy of the 4-ounce female cub did not immediately reveal the cause of death but zoo Chief Veterinarian Dr. Suzan Murray said the initial exam made it appear the cub was not crushed by her mother. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (2012 Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – AUGUST 30: Giant Panda cub Tai Shan cuddles with his mother, Mei Xiang, while they eat melon balls in the morning at the Giant Panda Habitat at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park August 30, 2006 in Washington, DC. Weighing more than 62 pounds, Tai Shan (who?s name means ?peaceful mountain? in Chinese) turned one-year-old on July 9, 2006 and has helped draw an estimated 1.2 million visitors to the habitat since his December 2005 debut. The new $10 million Fujifilm Giant Panda Habitat is scheduled to open Sept. 20, 2006 and will be a state-of-the-art research facility and add more than 12,000 square feet to the pandas’ outdoor exhibit. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (2006 Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 28: Balmy weather brought 7-year-old giant panda Mei Xiang outside to enjoy a “fruitcicle,” a combination of frozen apple juice and pieces of apple and pear at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park on December 28, 2005 in Washington, DC. With an expected high of 50-degrees, the unusually warm temperatures brought a large number of visitors to the zoo. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (2005 Getty Images)
402955 05: Female panda Mei Xiang sleeps on a rock March 27, 2002 at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. Four-year-old male panda Tian Tian jumped the three-year-old female panda, which are both on a 10-year loan program from China, without warning and hit her when he was trying to mate with her on Sunday morning. The two pandas stayed apart on Wednesday. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
383925 03: Tian Tian, left and Mei Xiang sleep on the rocks in front of their custom-made grotto January 4, 2000 at the National Zoo in Washington DC. Constructed of natural and imitation rock, the grotto resembles a shallow open cave within a natural rock outcropping. Naturally cold in the winter, this grotto will be cooled by built-in air conditioners in the summer. (Photo by Jessie Cohen/Smithsonian National Zoo/Newsmakers) (Getty Images)



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Washington, D.C

D.C. Age Debate Reignites After Rep Found at Old Folks’ Home

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December 22, 2024

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D.C. Age Debate Reignites After Rep Found at Old Folks’ Home


Politics

Rep. Kay Granger was found to be residing at an independent living facility in Texas following a six-month, unexplained absence from the Capitol.

Tom Williams/Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Yasmeen Hamadeh

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.



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Washington, D.C

Mayor Bowser, Commanders' Josh Harris, and other local leaders react to RFK Stadium deal

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12 hours ago

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December 22, 2024

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Mayor Bowser, Commanders' Josh Harris, and other local leaders react to RFK Stadium deal


WASHINGTON (7News) — After years of debate, false starts, and controversy, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act was passed in the Senate with unanimous consent, paving the way for the Washington Commanders to return to D.C.

Now, local leaders are speaking about the benefits, and potential drawbacks, of a new football stadium in the city.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)

D.C. has scored a victory in its fight for self-determination just in time for the holidays. When the bill is signed into law by President Biden, D.C. will get to decide for itself what to do with the largest unused tract of land remaining in the District. I look forward to seeing the site transformed from crumbling blight to a productive and bustling complex that will generate significant revenue for the nation’s capital.

Throughout my career in Congress, I’ve prioritized transferring unused federal land to D.C. or the private sector, enabling the redevelopment of neighborhoods, generating tax revenue and bringing much-needed space to the District.

Maryland U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen

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Maryland has been the proud home of the Commanders for over two decades and we continue to believe that this partnership should continue long into the future. After working to level the financial playing field, and receiving assurances that should the team move they will redevelop the existing site in a manner that meets the needs of the community, tonight we supported the proposed land transfer legislation. We have always supported the District’s effort to control its own land, and through regional discussions and cooperation, our concerns with this proposal have been addressed.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser

Josh Harris, Managing Partner of the Washington Commanders

We are extremely grateful that our elected officials have come together on a bipartisan basis to give Washington D.C. the opportunity to decide on the future of the RFK stadium site. This bill will create an equal playing field so that all potential future locations for the home of the Washington Commanders can be fairly considered and give our franchise the opportunity to provide the best experience for all of our fans.

Congressman Glenn Ivey (D-Md)

Maryland should have the chance to compete to keep the Commanders here.

I opposed this bill in the House, and I oppose it today, because federal taxpayers should not be required to subsidize an NFL stadium by offering a 99-year lease of the RFK campus for free. That’s not fair to the taxpayers, and it’s not fair to Maryland because it undermines Maryland’s chance to compete on a level playing field.

But we can still win. Our site offers two nearby Metro stations, superior highway access, and a larger campus for parking. Now that the Dan Snyder era is over and the Harris team has brought winning football back to the DMV, a state-of-the-art indoor stadium would jumpstart redevelopment in the area and trigger property appreciation in short order. In addition to the ten games or so the Commanders play, the stadium could be used year-round for events like the Final Four and music concerts. Working closely with the Harris team–which owns much of the land around the stadium–we could create an economic win-win that would benefit the community, the region, the team, and the fans.

Maryland looks forward to working with the Harris team to make that vision a reality.

DC Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie

DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson

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We are grateful the legislation passed and that this large tract will not continue to deteriorate with a crumbling stadium on it.

At the same time, it is unfortunate that the Senate found unanimous consent to move the legislation concerning RFK, but is leaving untouched ten judicial vacancies. This continues to be a setback to the District’s public safety ecosystem. I would also be remiss to not emphasize that the continuing resolution underfunds, our police by $10 million.



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LIST: Free, engaging options in DC for your kids, families during Winter break

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20 hours ago

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December 22, 2024

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LIST: Free, engaging options in DC for your kids, families during Winter break


WASHINGTON, D.C. (7News) — Mayor Muriel Bowser, along with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), is offering dozens of activities for kids and families during the 2024-2025 Winter break.

“These initiatives provide young people with safe and engaging activities from Dec. 21 through Dec. 31. While many events are designed for all age groups, DPR is also hosting specialized programming for teenagers, creating dedicated spaces for them to connect, socialize, and have fun,” the Mayor said in a press release.

READ MORE | Man killed in Walker Mill shooting, marks 100th murder in Prince George’s County this year

Here are a list of the activities:

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Community Toy Giveaway: Toy distribution and cocoa for children in the community

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Where: Fort Stevens Recreation Center, 1327 Van Buren Street, NW

Movie Field Trip: Sonic 3: Young people can enjoy a field trip to see Sonic 3, with multiple pickup locations

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Register HERE

Grinchmas at Kenilworth: Join us for a community holiday Grinch-themed party

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Where: Kenilworth Recreation Center, 4321 Ord Street, NE

Community Christmas Extravaganza: An event for the distribution of toys, hygiene products, coats, and used clothing to those in need

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Where: Rosedale Community Center, 1701 Gales Street, NE

Holiday Hype: A festive gathering at the MLK Library for all ages

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Where: MLK Library, 901 G Street NW
  • Register HERE

SEE ALSO | Crews, carjackings and youth crime: 7News speaks with US Attorney Matthew Graves

Just Cares Toys for Tots Youth Basketball Tournament: This holiday basketball tournament and charity event will include Santa picture booth, entertainment, toy giveaways, and adult and kids basketball games!

  • When: Sunday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Where: Deanwood Community Center, 1350 49th Street, NE

Water Cycle and Aqua Fitness: Water-based activities and fitness sessions

  • Where: Ferebee-Hope Aquatic Center, 700 Yuma Street SE
  • Water Cycle: Dec. 24 and 26, 3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
  • Aqua Fitness: Dec. 24 and 26, 6 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

eSports and Gaming Tournaments

  • eSports Throwback & Brawlhalla Tournament: Columbia Heights Community Center, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • eSports 2K24 Tournament: Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, Dec. 26, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Winter E-Gaming Tournament: Hillcrest Recreation Center, Dec. 27, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • eSports Madden Tournament: Deanwood Community Center, Dec. 27, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Holiday Drip: Celebrate the season with music and water-based fun

  • When: Dec. 27, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Where: Barry Farm Aquatic Center, 1230 Sumner Road SE

Holiday Sing-Along: Come out to sing your favorite holiday carols

  • When: Monday, Dec. 30, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Where: Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street, NW

Holiday Movie Night: Come out to the Joseph Cole Recreation Center for a holiday movie

  • Where: Joseph Cole Recreation Center, 1299 Neal Street, NE
  • When: Monday, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Teen Time: Teens will have the chance to play minute-to-win-it games, board games, art activities, and basketball!

  • When: Friday, Dec. 27, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Where: Ridge Road Community Center, 830 Ridge Road, SE,

Teen Time: Teens will have the chance to play minute-to-win games, board games, art activities, and basketball!

  • When: Monday, Dec. 23, Tuesday, Dec. 24, Monday, Dec. 30, and Tuesday, Dec. 31, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Where: Rosedale Community Center, 1701 Gales Street, NE

High School Lifeguard Training: Comprehensive lifeguard training for high school students at multiple locations

  • Ballou HS Aquatic Center, 3401 4th Street SE: Dec. 22 – 24, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Dunbar HS Aquatic Center, 101 N Street NW: Dec. 26 – 28, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Roosevelt HS Aquatic Center, 4301 13th Street NW: Dec. 29 – 31, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Rumsey Aquatic Center, 635 North Carolina Avenue SE: Dec. 29 – 31, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Junior Lifeguard Academy: A training program for youth ages 9 to 15 interested in lifeguarding, with sessions offered at various aquatic centers

  • When: Dec. 23 through 31
  • Locations:
  • Barry Farm Aquatic Center, 1230 Sumner Road SE: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Turkey Thicket Aquatic Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue NE: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Ferebee-Hope Aquatic Center, 700 Yuma Street SE: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Deanwood Aquatic Center, 1350 49th Street NE: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van Buren Street NW: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Reservoir Park Aquatic Center, 10 Lower Service Court NW: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.



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