In the 1990s, China began sending pandas to foreign zoos to be bred, in the hope that future generations could be released into the wild. It hasn’t gone as planned.
The cub now has the typical panda pattern and is about the size of a larger rabbit. "These are the cutest little hoppers you can imagine," said zoo director Andreas Knieriem, visibly moved.
The National Zoo’s two new giant pandas are departing China for their future home in Washington, the government-run China Wildlife Conservation Association announced Monday.
A little more than two months after two giant pandas — the first sent to the U.S. in 21 years — debuted at the San Diego Zoo, fans can watch Panda Cam.