$10M donated to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Giant Panda Program

WASHINGTON — The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) received a large donation to help fund the giant panda conservation program. The donation comes as many wait for the pandas to return to the District. 

On Friday, David M. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group, pledged $10 million toward the Smithsonian's $25 million campaign to fund the conservation program. 

“The National Zoo’s panda program brings joy to millions of people today as it does the important work of understanding and preserving these magnificent creatures for generations to come,” Rubenstein said. “I am pleased to renew my support of this consequential program, a part of the larger Smithsonian campaign. The long-standing partnership between the Smithsonian and the China Wildlife Conservation Association has led to scientific breakthroughs to better understand what pandas need to thrive. These advances help the pandas as well as other rare and endangered animals in human care and in the wild.”

In November 2023, the giant pandas returned to China after 50 years in D.C. It was the end of an era that was felt across the District. However, a new 10-year cooperative giant panda research and breeding agreement will bring a new pair of giant pandas to the nation's capital. The new pandas, 3-year-old male Bao Li [BOW-lee] and 3-year-old female Qing Bao [ching-BOW], are expected to come to D.C. by the end of the year. 

Per the terms of the new agreement, NZCBI will pay $1 million annually to the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) and partner on research projects. Federal funding will cover NZCBI’s essential animal care expenses such as food, medicine, animal care staff and facilities maintenance.