On Saturday, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo hosted a panda party in the District to celebrate Qing Bao’s fifth birthday. And plenty of her fans showed up dressed for the occasion.
Six-and-a-half-year-old Abby Shelley wore a panda dress to the celebration. Asked why she loves pandas, her answer was simple: “They’re cute.”
While five-and-a-half-year-old Brim was there to celebrate the panda’s birthday, he had another reason to be there.
“I wanted cake,” declared Brim.
When asked if Qing Bao should let him have some of her cake, Brim wondered out loud, “Do you think the panda can talk?”
This was not just any sheet cake that you’d pick up at the supermarket. This was made by the zoo’s nutrition staff.
“We love birthdays here at the National Zoo,” said Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas. “She got a really nice ice cake. With ice and different juices and fruits on it.”
To match the 70s theme, the cake was shaped like a van that read “The Bamboo Machine.”
She also received birthday presents, including colorful enrichment boxes filled with some of her favorite treats and a toy that looked like a giant Kong you might give your dog.
And the party wasn’t over once the cake was gone.
Giant panda keeper Mariel Lally said Qing Bao still had more waiting for her inside.
“When she goes inside, she’s going to have lots of boxes to tear into, and one of her favorite things is to tear into boxes,” Lally said.
For longtime panda fan Helen Gonzalez, watching Qing Bao is part of a tradition. For about 20 years, she has visited the zoo to see the pandas two or three times a week.
“You get to know their personalities, and it’s so fun to watch them,” Gonzalez said. “Especially if you see them as cubs grow up.”
Like Gonzalez, Stephanie Smith has also been to China to see pandas.
Smith has been coming to panda events since Mei Xiang and Tian Tian were at the zoo and has collected “hundreds” of panda items, including T-shirts, jackets and jewelry.
For her, watching on the panda cam is nice, but it doesn’t compare to the real thing.
“It’s a great show. It’s also good on the panda cam if you can’t make it, I have to say, but to be here is the best,” Smith said.
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