Qing Bao, the giant panda at Smithsonian’s National Zoo, celebrated her fifth birthday on September 12, 2026, with a retro-themed enrichment event designed to engage her natural behaviors rather than draw attention. The Zoo’s keepers marked the occasion with 1970s-inspired food puzzles, a van-shaped frozen cake, and interactive toys—all part of a broader effort to stimulate her problem-solving and physical activity.
The celebration included a fruitsicle cake shaped like a van, nicknamed The Bamboo Machine, made from diluted grape, plum, apple, and carrot juices. Carrot-pulp decorations and a frozen number five filled with bite-sized fruit and vegetables topped the dessert. Alongside the cake, Qing Bao received a pink puzzle feeder and a handled pink ball, tools designed to challenge her foraging instincts.
Keeper Mariel Lally noted that cooler autumn weather often brings more energetic behavior from Qing Bao, including climbing, playing with enrichment, and rolling down habitat hills. While she may appear more reserved than the male panda, Bao Li, Lally described her as “goofy and quirky”, particularly adept at mastering feeder toys. The Zoo’s seasonal shift into autumn—when temperatures drop, also means visitors have a better chance of seeing her most active in the afternoons.
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Unlike some animal birthdays, which focus on spectacle, this event prioritized enrichment with a purpose. The decorated food boxes, puzzle toys, and themed cake weren’t just decorations; they encouraged Qing Bao to engage in natural behaviors like foraging and problem-solving. Such activities are critical for pandas, which in the wild rely on complex environments for mental and physical stimulation.
The birthday celebration also included family-friendly activities supported by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, such as calligraphy, coloring, face painting, and panda trivia. For those unable to attend in person, the Zoo’s Giant Panda Cam, sponsored by The Boeing Company, offers a live view of the pandas’ habitat year-round.
Visitors planning a trip should note updated seasonal hours beginning September 15: the Zoo opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m., with last entry at 3 p.m.. Indoor exhibits operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last entry at 3:30 p.m.. Admission remains free, though entry passes are required and recommended to reserve in advance. The Zoo is located on Connecticut Avenue, just north of the National Mall.
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Qing Bao and Bao Li arrived in Washington in 2024 after the previous pair of pandas returned to China in 2023. Their presence has revitalized the Zoo’s giant panda conservation program, a collaboration with Chinese partners that dates back decades. Bao Li celebrated his fifth birthday in August 2026 with a shark-themed enrichment event, highlighting the Zoo’s approach to tailoring activities to each panda’s personality.
For families visiting Washington, the Zoo’s Asia Trail provides a year-round chance to see these iconic animals, though autumn may be the best time to catch Qing Bao in full play mode.
