Fifty years ago this month, giant pandas first came to Washington and changed the city forever.
The 131-year-old zoo, in Northwest Washington’s Woodley Park neighborhood, is home to three of the beloved animals: Mei Xiang, a 23-year-old female; Tian Tian, a 24-year-old male; and Xiao Qi Ji, a 1-year-old male.Two — Ling-Ling, a female; and Hsing-Hsing, a male — are deceased.
China had previously used gifts of giant pandas as overtures to countries like the Soviet Union and North Korea. They were both about 18 months old. And when they made their public debut the next weekend, 20,000 people came to see them. “New Pandas Melt Hearts,” one newspaper headline read. “And as he started developing some health issues, I got chosen to be one of the core group of keepers that was going to stay and be very panda-focused with him and his illness,” she said.At one point he wouldn’t take his arthritis medicine. The keepers had discovered that he liked the blueberry muffins from the Starbucks across Connecticut Avenue from the zoo, she said.Finally, his suffering was so apparent that zoo experts realized he should be euthanized.
Indeed, a year after Hsing-Hsing died, China sent the zoo Tian Tian, then 3, and Mei Xiang, then 2, on a 10-year, $10 million lease.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Special exhibition in New York City marks 50 years of Title IXThe exhibit highlights some incredible successes: clothing from Serena Williams, toys depicting female athletes and a Wheaties box featuring Mia Hamm.
Read more »
Mark Estrada Gets 50 Years to Life In 2015 Murder Of Hayward Police Sgt. Scott LungerA man was sentenced Thursday morning to 50 years to life for killing Hayward Police Sgt. Scott Lunger nearly seven years ago.
Read more »
50 Years of Title IX: How a Pasadena swimmer changed the game of water poloIf you step onto the pool deck at Pasadena High School, you're walking into Jennie Jacobsen-Huse's office and down memory lane.
Read more »
50 Years of Title IX: How a Pasadena swimmer changed the game of water poloIf you step onto the pool deck at Pasadena High School, you're walking into Jennie Jacobsen-Huse's office and down memory lane.
Read more »
50 Years of Title IX: How a Pasadena swimmer changed the game of water poloIf you step onto the pool deck at Pasadena High School, you're walking into Jennie Jacobsen-Huse's office and down memory lane.
Read more »
Special exhibition in New York City marks 50 years of Title IXThe exhibit highlights some incredible successes: clothing from Serena Williams, toys depicting female athletes and a Wheaties box featuring Mia Hamm.
Read more »