Giant pandas, with their distinctive black and white markings, symbolize conservation efforts and have played a role in international relations. Their presence in the United States reflects a long history of collaboration and cultural exchange. This article details their current status in American zoos, including how they arrived and what their future holds.
The Current Number and Where They Live
As of early 2025, four giant pandas reside in the United States across two zoological institutions. This follows the return of Zoo Atlanta’s four pandas (Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun) to China between October and December of 2024, concluding their loan agreement.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance welcomed two new giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, in the summer of 2024. Yun Chuan, a male, is five years old and is the grandson of Bai Yun, a panda that previously resided at the San Diego Zoo for 23 years. Xin Bao, a female, is four years old and arrived from the Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base in Sichuan, China.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., also received two new pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, by the end of 2024. Bao Li, a male, was born in August 2021, and Qing Bao, a female, was born in September 2021. These pandas made their public debut in January 2025.
A Look Back at Panda Diplomacy
“Panda diplomacy” describes the Chinese government’s practice of sending pandas to other countries as a gesture of goodwill and to foster diplomatic ties. While the practice dates back centuries to the Tang Dynasty, its modern form gained prominence in the 20th century.
A significant moment occurred in 1972 when China gifted two giant pandas, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, to the United States following President Richard Nixon’s historic visit. This exchange symbolized a warming of relations between the two nations after years of isolation. The pandas became a major attraction at the National Zoo, drawing large crowds and capturing public affection.
Initially, pandas were given as gifts, but this policy shifted in 1984. Since then, China has loaned pandas to other countries, typically under 10-year agreements that include an annual fee, often around $1 million for the US. These agreements also stipulate that any cubs born to loaned pandas remain the property of China. This evolution reflects a move towards cooperative research and conservation efforts.
The Future of Giant Pandas in the US
The landscape for giant pandas in U.S. zoos has recently changed. Many loan agreements expired in recent years, leading to the return of several pandas to China. For example, the Memphis Zoo’s last panda returned in April 2023, and the National Zoo’s previous trio departed in November 2023. This resulted in a temporary decrease in the US panda population.
Despite these departures, new agreements have emerged, indicating a continuation of panda exchanges. The recent arrivals at the San Diego Zoo and the National Zoo signal a renewed commitment to international conservation partnerships. These arrangements emphasize research and breeding programs, with any offspring returning to China by age four to contribute to the broader conservation gene pool.
The future presence of giant pandas in American zoos remains subject to ongoing collaborative efforts and agreements between U.S. institutions and China, with a shared goal of supporting the global conservation of this vulnerable species.