Zoo Releases Schedule for Bao Bao’s Final Days

Joelle Fredman
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The Smithsonian’s National Zoo released a schedule for giant panda Bao Bao’s final few weeks at the zoo before she returns to China February 21.

There will be a host of goodbye and panda-cam viewing events from February 16 to 20.

The zoo released the following schedule:

Saturday, Feb. 11

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST | FONZ Members-only Event
Join FONZ for a members-only event filled with family-friendly fun, including treats, giveaways and exclusive access to prime viewing of Bao Bao as she receives special enrichment! Learn more.

Thursday, Feb. 16

All Day | @Smithsonian Instagram Takeover
To kick off the farewell, the Zoo’s panda team is also taking over the @Smithsonian Instagram account to share a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a giant panda keeper
9:30 a.m. EST | Facebook Live: Painting with Bao Bao
Tune in to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Facebook to learn how and why keepers engage giant pandas and other animals in enrichment activities, like painting, to stimulate natural behaviors.
10 a.m. EST | Daily Treats
Visit the Zoo or tune in to Panda Cam 1 to watch Bao Bao enjoy her favorite enrichment items.
1:30 p.m. EST | Daily Treats
Visit the Zoo or tune in to Panda Cam 1 to watch Bao Bao enjoy her favorite enrichment items.
3 p.m. EST | Reddit Ask Me Anything: Giant Panda Conservation
Curious about giant panda conservation and the science behind it? Join experts for an online Reddit AMA chat on giant panda reproduction, biology and habitat.

Friday, Feb. 17

10 a.m. EST | Daily Treats
Visit the Zoo or tune in to Panda Cam 1 to watch Bao Bao enjoy her favorite enrichment items.
1:30 p.m. EST | Daily Treats
Visit the Zoo or tune in to Panda Cam 1 to watch Bao Bao enjoy her favorite enrichment items.
3 p.m. EST | Facebook Live: Giant Panda Recycled Art Projects with Friends of the National Zoo
Tune in to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Facebook to learn how to make giant panda-inspired crafts with the FONZ education team using items you may already have at home.

Saturday, Feb. 18

9:30 a.m. EST | Facebook Live: Training with Bao Bao
Tune in to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Facebook to see a training session with Bao Bao. Training helps teach giant pandas specific behaviors, such as how to voluntarily participate in veterinary exams.
10 a.m. EST | Daily Treats
Visit the Zoo or tune in to Panda Cam 1 to watch Bao Bao enjoy her favorite enrichment items.
1:30 p.m. EST | Daily Treats
Visit the Zoo or tune in to Panda Cam 1 to watch Bao Bao enjoy her favorite enrichment items.

Sunday, Feb. 19

10 a.m. EST | Daily Treats
Visit the Zoo or tune in to Panda Cam 1 to watch Bao Bao enjoy her favorite enrichment items.
11 a.m. EST | Facebook Live: Panda Cam Control Room
Tune in to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Facebook to get an inside look at the panda cam control room and meet a specially-trained FONZ volunteer behavior-watcher.
1:30 p.m. EST | Daily Treats
Visit the Zoo or tune in to Panda Cam 1 to watch Bao Bao enjoy her favorite enrichment items.

Monday, Feb. 20

9:30 a.m. EST | Facebook Live: Packing for Panda
Tune in to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Facebook to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the team is getting Bao Bao ready for her trip to China. What do you pack for a panda?
10 a.m. EST | Daily Treats
Visit the Zoo or tune in to Panda Cam 1 to watch Bao Bao enjoy her favorite enrichment items.
10 a.m. EST | Facebook Live: Ice Cake Party
Tune in to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Facebook to watch Bao Bao enjoy a celebratory ice cake treat prepared by the Zoo’s Department of Nutrition Science.
1:30 p.m. EST | Daily Treats
Visit the Zoo or tune in to Panda Cam 1 to watch Bao Bao enjoy her favorite enrichment items.