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Smithsonian National Zoo
Washington D.C., U.S.A.
Official website: nationalzoo.si.edu
National Zoo
The 163-acre Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Rock Creek Park was established by an Act of Congress in 1889 "for advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people." It is a world leader in exhibition, conservation, zoological research, and education. The National Zoo is home to more than 5800 animals. It was the first zoo established with the purpose of saving animals on the brink of extinction. Today, nearly 130 of the Zoo's species are endangered or threatened. The Zoo participates in 40 of the 70 Species Survival Plans coordinated by the American Zoological Association to ensure the survival in zoos of populations of endangered species.
Giant Pandas in Washington D.C.
National Zoo has 2 giant pandas: Mei Xiang & Tian Tian
A new giant panda couple for DC
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are the National Zoo's second pair of giant pandas. They arrived at the new Fujifilm Giant Panda Conservation Habitat on December 6, 2000.
Under an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, both giant pandas are on a 10-year loan to the National Zoo, where they will be the focus of an ambitious panda research, conservation and breeding program designed to preserve this endangered species.
Mei Xiang
Mei Xiang (female) was born on July 22, 1998 at the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda in Wolong.
She has studbook number 473.
Her name means "Beautiful Fragnance" in Chinese.
Her mother is Xue Xue (444) and her father is Lin Nan (298).
She came to the National Zoo on December 6, 2000 with Tian Tian.
Mei Xiang is the mother of Tai Shan .
Tian Tian
Tian Tian (male) was born on August 27, 1997 at the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda in Wolong.
He has studbook number 458.
His name means "More and More" in Chinese.
His mother is Yong Ba (397) and his father is Pan Pan (308).
He came to the National Zoo on December 6, 2000 with Mei Xiang.
Tian Tian is the father of Tai Shan .
History of Giant Pandas in Washington D.C.
Ling Ling
Ling Ling (female) was born approximately in September 1970.
She has studbook number 112.
She was found in Baoxing in September 1971 and moved to the Beijing Zoo.
She came to the National Zoo on April 16, 1972 with Hsing Hsing.
They were a goodwill gift from the Chinese Government to the President of the United States of America, Richard Nixon.
Ling Ling died on December 30, 1992.
Hsing Hsing
Hsing Hsing (male) was born approximately in August 1971.
He has studbook number 121.
He was found in Baoxing on January 20, 1972 and moved to the Beijing Zoo.
He came to the National Zoo on April 16, 1972 with Ling Ling.
They were a goodwill gift from the Chinese Government to the President of the United States of America, Richard Nixon.
He suffered from testicular cancer in April 1997 and from a kidney disease in May 1999.
Hsing Hsing was euthanized on November 28, 1999.
Chia Chia
Chia Chia (male) was born approximately in September 1972.
He has studbook number 141.
His name means "Most Excellent or Very Best" in Chinese.
He was found in Baoxing on April 26, 1973 and moved to the Beijing Zoo on October 19, 1973.
He moved to London Zoo on September 14, 1974 with Ching Ching.
They were a goodwill gift from the Chinese Government to the prime minister of the United Kingdom, Edward Heath.
He was loaned to the National Zoo on March 6, 1981. Hsing Hsing showed no interest in mating with Ling Ling. Chia Chia's mate Ching Ching was ill and the zoo's were hoping Chia Chia would mate with Ling Ling. But it was no succes, Chia Chia & Ling Ling fought. He returned to London on July 10, 1981.
The Zoo de la Casa de Campo used his sperm to perform artificial insemination on Shao Shao in 1982.
After Ching Ching's death on June 20, 1985, Chia Chia stayed alone until September 2, 1988. He left London Zoo and moved to the Chapultepec Zoo to mate with their female panda Tohui. He arrived in Mexico on November 30, 1988, after a fundraising stop for the Chapultepec Zoo's panda breeding program at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.
Chia Chia is the father of Chu Lin, Chu Lin's twin sister & Xin Xin.
Chia Chia died on October 13, 1991 at the Chapultepec Zoo.
Cubs of Ling Ling & Hsing Hsing
Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing had 5 cubs.
On July 21, 1983, their first cub was born. It died after a few hours from pneumonia.
On August 4, 1984, Ling Ling gave birth to a stillborn cub.
On July 23, 1987, twins were born. The first died immediately, the second after 4 days from a bacterial infection.
On September 1, 1989, Ling Ling gave birth for the last time. This cub died after a few days from an infection.
Tai Shan
Tai Shan (male) was born on July 9, 2005 at the National Zoo.
He has studbook number 595.
His name means "Peacefull Mountain" in Chinese.
His mother is Mei Xiang (473) and his father is Tian Tian (458).
He is the first surviving panda cub born at the National Zoo.
Tai Shan left his birth town Washington D.C. on February 4, 2010. He moved to his parents native country China, to participate in the giant panda breeding program. He will be living at the Ya'an Bifengxia Base of CCRCGP.
More info on Tai Shan moving to China: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/FrequentlyAskedQuestions/TaiShanChina.cfm
The pictures of Ling Ling are made by Jessie Cohen.
The pictures of Chia Chia are made by Mike Dulaney, his keeper in Cincinnati.
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