Giant Panda Bao Bao Departs Smithsonian’s National Zoo for China
February 21 2017 - 12:15PM
Business Wire
FedEx Panda Express Will Proudly Deliver Bao
Bao to Her New Home at the China Conservation and Research Center
in Chengdu
Bao Bao (BOW-BOW) the 3 ½ year-old giant panda began her journey
to China this morning. She departed the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
at 11 a.m. for Dulles International Airport, where she will board a
FedEx Express 777F plane bound for Chengdu, China. The non-stop
flight will take about 16 hours. Bao Bao’s departure from the Zoo
was broadcast via Facebook Live.
This morning, the panda team arrived at 6:30 a.m. to finalize
preparations for Bao Bao’s departure. Bao Bao received her morning
diet of 17 pounds (8 kilograms) of bamboo and 5.4 (150 grams)
leafeater biscuits and spent time in her outdoor habitat. Already
acclimated from daily training, keeper Marty Dearie called Bao Bao
back indoors and then into the custom travel crate at approximately
10 a.m. Zoo staff moved the crate onto a specially-decorated
forklift which traveled carefully out of the David M. Rubenstein
Giant Panda Habitat through the Zoo and was loaded on a FedEx
Express truck. Dennis Kelly, director of the Zoo, was joined by
Ambassador Cui Tiankai from the People’s Republic of China,
Smithsonian Regent and Zoo giant panda conservation program
supporter David Rubenstein and animal care staff to say
goodbye.
The “FedEx Panda Express,” a custom-decaled 777F aircraft, is
expected to depart at 1:30 p.m. today from Dulles International
Airport. FedEx supports the movement of rescued or endangered
animals across the country and around the world as part of its
commitment to sustainability.
“At FedEx, we take great pride in using our global networks to
move precious cargo around the world,” said Dave Bronczek,
president & COO, FedEx Corp. “Through our charitable shipping
program, we are honored to be entrusted with Bao Bao’s journey to
her new home in China. Our team of skilled logistics experts,
pilots and drivers are honored to support the efforts to preserve
this beloved, rare animal. I extend a special thanks to our team
members who go above and beyond every single day to make a positive
impact in our communities.”
In 2010, FedEx Express transported Bao Bao’s brother Tai Shan
from The National Zoo to the China Conservation and Research Center
in Chengdu. FedEx Express also provided the transport for Bao Bao’s
parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, from China to the United States
in 2000.
The Zoo will broadcast the departure of the plane on Facebook.
The specialized travel crate is made of steel and weighs
approximately 800 lbs. Marty Dearie, one of the keepers who has
cared for Bao Bao since her birth, and Katharine Hope, veterinarian
at the Zoo will make the 8,600-mile trip with her. They will
continuously monitor Bao Bao during the trip and are traveling with
a supply of her favorite treats, including 50 pounds of bamboo, 2
pounds of apples, 2 bags of leafeater biscuits, cooked sweet
potatoes and water.
Upon arrival in Chengdu, Bao Bao’s new keepers from China
Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda will drive her
to Dujiangyan Panda Base where she will stay in quarantine for
approximately 30 days. The American team will follow, and Dearie
will remain with Bao Bao for three days while she acclimates to her
new home. It is not confirmed if Bao Bao will remain at Dujiangyan
after the quarantine period has ended. Bao Bao will enter the giant
panda breeding program when she reaches sexual maturity between 5
and 6 years old.
The panda team prepared Bao Bao for the move to make sure she is
comfortable and safe during her journey. To slowly acclimate her to
the travel crate, keepers asked Bao Bao to walk through it every
day. After she became comfortable doing that, they got her used to
spending short periods of time in it with the doors closed.
Bao Bao was born at 5:32 p.m. Aug. 23, 2013, at the Zoo’s David
M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. Her name translates to
“precious” or “treasure” in Chinese. Both Mrs. Michelle Obama,
former first lady of the United States, and Madame Peng Liyuan,
first lady of China sent congratulatory messages for her naming
ceremony when she was 100 days old. At her first birthday zhuazhou
(dra-JO) ceremony, she selected a banner depicting peaches,
representing longevity. She is the second surviving cub of her
parents Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN).
Giant pandas are listed as “vulnerable” in the wild by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are an
estimated 1,800 in the wild. The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and
Conservation Biology Institute is a leader in giant panda
conservation. Ever since these charismatic bears arrived at the Zoo
in 1972, animal care staff and scientists have studied giant panda
biology, behavior, breeding, reproduction, and disease. These
experts are also leading ecology studies in giant panda’s native
habitat. The Zoo’s giant panda team works closely with colleagues
in China to advance conservation efforts around the world. Chinese
scientists are working to reintroduce giant pandas to the wild.
The Zoo is posting and sharing content on Facebook, Instagram
and Twitter using #ByeByeBaoBao.
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FedEx Corp.Rae Lyn Rushing,
901-495-5311rae.rushing@fedex.comorJen Caccavo Cordeau,
901-371-6684jennifer.caccavo@fedex.comMedia website:
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