The first pandas came to American zoos after President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China in 1972— every panda in the U.S. was loaned under contract. China let these contracts expire due to tensions in Washington, effectively taking back almost every giant panda in American zoos. Not only were zoogoers saddened by the news, but conservation efforts have been greatly impacted by this decision.
The Smithsonian National Zoo has invested millions of dollars into breeding programs for giant pandas that would produce viable, healthy offspring. In 2020, they welcomed a newborn cub: Xiao Qi Ji (“Little Miracle” in English). The cub’s parents came to the U.S. in 2000 and have been staples of the zoo ever since. In November, the panda family was removed from the zoo and flown back to Chengdu, China.
The World Wildlife Fund estimates that there are only a little over 1,800 giant pandas left in the wild. Decades-long conservation efforts have seen a decrease in their endangered status; the giant panda is not classified as “vulnerable.” For fifty years, pandas have been one of the world’s most beloved creatures and a symbol of WWF. However, there is still more work to be done to ensure the survival of the species.
Diplomatic relations between China and the U.S. are in rapid decline, and pandas may be facing the consequences. Trade, human rights abuses, and the status of Taiwan are all pressure points — China prefers to loan its pandas to nations that are in good standing. Zoo Atlanta in Georgia plans on returning its pandas later this year, leaving one singular panda in Mexico City as the sole panda on the continent.
While Chinese breeding efforts are fruitful, with a record 42 pandas born in 2017, the U.S. has lost the opportunity to support this conservation effort. Ed Young told the Atlantic, “It’s still threatened, but it has more time before extinction comes knocking. Still, you take your victories where you can get them in conservation, and the panda’s new grade is a rare spot of good news. It suggests that all the effort poured into saving this species is paying off, and it adds to debates about whether that effort has been worth it.”
For 50 years, The Smithsonian National Zoo has had a successful panda program, attracting millions of visitors and ensuring that pandas will not go extinct. It is depressing that this program must end due to diplomatic breakdowns. Not only will panda lovers have to travel abroad to catch a glimpse of the massive, adorable black and white bears, but the U.S. is no longer a leader in species conservation. Not to mention, it is highly stressful for an animal to be moved, especially when said animal is transported 19 hours away by plane. Stress actively impacts the animals’ willingness to breed and could lead to failed pregnancies.
We pride ourselves on our dedication to preventing the extinction of many species, so the U.S. should prioritize diplomatic relations for the sake of conservation. The world needs more giant pandas, not less.
