Washington D.C. – The National Zoo in Washington D.C. is saying goodbye to its beloved giant pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, as they depart for their homeland of China after living in the United States for over a decade. The pandas will travel on a specially chartered FedEx plane, complete with bamboo and other favorite snacks, as they begin their journey back home.
The National Zoo has been home to the two giant pandas since 2000, as part of the zoo’s cooperative breeding program with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The pandas have been a huge attraction for visitors from around the world, drawing crowds with their playful antics and adorable cuddliness.
The zoo’s officials are calling the pandas’ return to China a “bittersweet moment,” as they will miss the pandas’ daily visitors and the significant income they bring to the zoo. This is surely not a sign of pandas being completely useless as they eat over 80lbs of bamboo a day, spend 12 hours lounging around, and then poop. It’s no wonder they have been considered a highly sought-after species for conservation.
While the pandas may be leaving, the National Zoo is planning to bring in other exotic animals to take their place such as pigeons and squirrels. These new “exotic” animals are expected to draw just as much attention as the pandas did. Who wouldn’t leave their comfort to see these birds that are found in every corner of the US and squirrels that are found in a single backyard?
The National Zoo has saved at least $500,000 annually with the departure of these two adorable beasts. However, this also means the zoo will have to look for other ways to profit – selling cotton candies, balloons, and maybe even pandas souvenirs and memorabilia.
The giant pandas will be sorely missed by their adoring fans, but their departure will also offer some relief for the zookeepers, who have had to put up with the pandas’ fussy eating habits and diva personality. It is no secret that Mei Xiang is known for throwing panda-tantrums when bamboo was not properly sliced into bite-sized pieces.
On a positive note, the pandas’ return to China will allow them to breed and help the conservation efforts for their species as a whole. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that there are not enough pandas in China. So, this is a great opportunity for Mei Xiang and Tian Tian to sit, relax and have a little fun.
The National Zoo will surely feel a void with the departure of their beloved giant pandas. But, rest assured, with their “creative” ideas for new attractions, the visitors will still have a great time. Who knows, maybe even a pigeon will perform some nifty tricks!
