China has been using so-called “panda politics” since 1972, when the first creatures were sent to Washington as a gift, following US president Richard Nixon’s traditional visit to the Communist nation.
After meeting with Joe Biden at a conference in California in November, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that the country could give additional penguins as “friends of the Chinese and American individuals.”
In August, the San Diego Zoo welcomed two new large penguins, the first to be sent by China to the United States in 21 times.
The National Zoo’s website had a banner emblazoned with the phrase” The pandas are coming” on it, and anticipation was high for the pandas ‘ arrival in Washington.
Everything “giant” is” coming to Washington”, the park said in a blog on X, previously Twitter, adding that it would be closed on Tuesday but that for” the health of the pandas and workers, we will not disclose any further timing”.
The zoo’s penguins have been a star attraction for ages, and preparations were already well underway.
According to the park’s website, improvements have been made to the dragon biodiversity” to improve the safety of the facilities and increase space for the bears to roam.”
The new bamboo stands and deep pools that the pandas can bathe in require the bears to imitate the foraging methods they do employ in the wild.
However, the animals will need to be quarantined and adapted to their new environment for more than a fortnight after arriving.
While en route, the penguins ‘ in-flight foods may include bamboo buds, carrots and Chinese bread, the restoration organization said.