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WATCH: New National Zoo pandas are on a roll

Jenna Romaine | jenna.romaine@wtop.com

October 26, 2024, 6:12 AM

Bao Li and Qing Bao are having a ball in their new habitat.

In some of the first video since their arrival at Smithsonian’s National Zoo, the giant pandas can each be seen playing with a ball.

Bao Li and Qing Bao, both 3 years old, spend much of the video pawing, tossing and rolling (both on and with) their respective balls. But this playtime is for more than adorable entertainment — it acts as enrichment for them.

“These toys encourage our giant pandas to keep physically active and mentally sharp,” the National Zoo wrote alongside the video. “They also give the bears an opportunity to use their natural behaviors and choose how to spend their time.”

Currently, both giant pandas are under a standard quarantine at the zoo’s David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat.

Bao Li and Qing Bao are scheduled to make their public debut on Jan. 24, 2025, and the National Zoo will host special events and programs to celebrate from Jan. 29 to Feb. 9.

The beloved Giant Panda Cam will also return on Jan. 24, 2025, where the livestream will run from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. every day.

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Jenna Romaine

Jenna joins WTOP after working as lead staff writer for Secret D.C. She has been a contributing writer for Billboard and has also worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill where she reported for the Changing America section.

jenna.romaine@wtop.com

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