A sign of peace

I guess there’s always hope.

I wrote last November on how the National Zoo in Washington, DC had to say an emotional farewell to three giant pandas, on loan from China. I wrote too on how my wife and I fell in love with the pandas when we young and lived in Northern Virginia. We didn’t have a lot of money and would often go to the zoo for a cheap date night out. One big panda, my wife, and me — make for a special date night. (See my November 2023 post below.)

But indeed there is good news.

Photo by Pexels.

The Smithsonian National Zoo announced last week a new agreement has been struck and China will send two new giant pandas to the zoo by the end of the year.

The children’s picture book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin and Eric Carle asks various animals, including a brown bear, what it sees. In the near future, zoo patrons will soon be able to ask two young black and white pandas what they see.

Yes, The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute said the incoming pandas are a pair of two year-olds, Bao Li (pronounced BOW’-lee) and Qing Bao (ching-BOW’).

Pandas have been a symbol of U.S.-China friendship since Beijing sent a pair to the National Zoo in 1972, ahead of the normalization of bilateral relations. Later, Beijing loaned pandas to other U.S. zoos, with proceeds going back to panda conservation programs.

Over time, though, the number of pandas in American zoos have dwindled as loan agreements reached their end and diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and China that remained high. 

Let’s hope that the two new panda are a sign better things to come.

The loss of a good friend

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31 thoughts on “A sign of peace”

  1. I have to say I am for the panda. And being free to eat his bamboo in the wild. Though I do understand political relationships are important.

    We have a zoo West of the Island of Montreal. In it are all animals that have been rescued, their injuries tended to, and, if it is not safe to put them back out, then they have a place to live for the rest of their lives. This type of zoo is all about conservation and is a great way to learn about the animals of this particular area.

    Sorry for being preachy! Zoos are a double-edge sword. Yes, you get to learn about exotic animals but they are living in confined spaces (though some are way better than others!)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I think the same. I don’t like animals being enclosed in such small spaces, not allowed to live their lives. It’s the way humans have made it. Some are safer in captivity. What with hunting and destruction of habitat. It’s still hard for me to see any animal “behind bars”. I don’t think cats and dogs should be made to live indoors either, but, I have them. Where do we draw the line?
      Conservation efforts are a great thing. I am for realistic efforts to aid in populations of animals from going extinct. And as you’ve said, Dale, this includes the animal rehabilitation facilities.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I had a feeling I would find a like-minded soul here. After my husband died, I brought my kids to Cuba. They have a “swim with the dolphins” activity. I cannot tell you how proud I was of my kids when they said no way would they participate. That the dolphins should be free and not enclosed. I apparently, have rubbed off 😉

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      2. I pray some of the lessons I’ve learned are instilled in my children. I stopped eating red meat almost 20 years ago. I occasionally eat poultry or fish, I don’t make my children eat that way, though. I want them to make their own choices. Meal times are definitely interesting!

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      3. I know what you mean. My kids have moved out and don’t have any restrictions, food-wise (at this time!) We are omnivores so that makes my life a tad easier 😉

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    2. Yea, I hear you Dale. The National Zoo in Washington in my 20s was the first zoo I ever visited. The animals there seemed to be treated with plenty of care. I get the “confined space” angle, but I also think seeing them gave me incredible perspective. I always think of kids in the city who don’t get to see animals like you or I might. My wife teaches in an urban school. They visit a working farm and they’re always shocked when they see cows up close and see where the milk that they drink comes from or that chickens produce the eggs, etc., etc. Should panda’s really be a symbol of peace between two big bullies? No, but I’m glad to see that people can learn about them and other endangered species. Hopefully too the pandas can help keep the peace too.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, I’m not so sure what I think about them being a draw and the commercial side of it, but I guess I’m fine with it, because I know the panda research and maintenance costs a lot of $$$. But yes, definitely interesting to see.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Ahha! I’m going to adopt giant pandas, babies and all sizes in between as my personal symbol of peace, hope, harmony and love. Maybe I’ll get me a stuffed one as a reminder . . .

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh, for the longest time I was able to hide my crazy self from my wife, then my girlfriend. She thought I was smart, sophisticated and well -knowledged about lots of topics, because we spent our date nights at the Smithsonian museums and the zoo. Little did she know, I loved them because I didn’t have stutter or talk my way through the night and I was really poor and they were free!!!! Ha, ha.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Isn’t all of that wonderful and fabulous…but you know how life is…we can only cloak our crazy for a while…eventually we’re found out. And it’s the best! 🥰😁🥰

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Great news for more pandas! 😊🐼 It’s a wonderful gesture of diplomacy but also wonderful for Americans to see these beloved animals.

    Liked by 1 person

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