Washington panda cub named Bao Bao
Print Edition
The most popular giant panda in US-China relations finally got an identity yesterday after the Smithsonian’s National Zoo named its female 100-day-old cub Bao Bao after more than 123,000 people voted in an online poll.
Bao Bao, which means “treasure” or “precious,” is only the second surviving cub born at the National Zoo since the first pandas arrived in 1972 to commemorate President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China. Pandas have remained a happy symbol of diplomacy between the two countries.
Panda mother Mei Xiang has been caring for her cub in the panda den since she was born on August 23. Bao Bao will have her public unveiling early next year.
Panda keepers, however, said Mei Xiang has indicated she may want to take Bao Bao outside soon. Before she goes outside, veterinarians want to give Bao Bao her final set of vaccinations this week, so mother and cub could venture out as soon as the second week of December, said curator Brandie Smith.
Mei Xiang’s only other surviving cub, a male named Tai Shan, was born in 2005 and was returned to China in 2010 for breeding. Male panda Tian Tian is the father of both cubs.
The zoo asked the public to vote for one of five names for the new cub. The others were Ling Hua, Long Yun, Mulan and Zhen Bao. The names were submitted by Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai, US Ambassador to China Gary Locke, panda keepers at the National Zoo, the fundraising group Friends of the National Zoo and the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.
The chosen name was submitted by Friends of the National Zoo.
In a videotaped message played at the zoo on Sunday, first lady Michelle Obama said it was first lady Pat Nixon who helped “jump-start panda diplomacy” after admiring the bears during the Nixons’ visit to China in 1972.
“After decades of close collaboration with our Chinese partners, these remarkable animals stand as a symbol of the growing connections between our two countries,” Obama said.
Peng Liyuan, the first lady of China, also sent a video message, saying giant pandas are China’s “national treasure.”
“Many people love baby pandas as they love their own children,” she said.
Dozens of people and reporters gathered for the naming ceremony, 100 days after the cub’s birth following Chinese tradition. The Chinese ambassador said it was a unique celebration.
“It represents the wish that the baby will grow up in happiness and good health and that it will live as long as over 100 years,” Cui said.
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