Giant Panda Cub Bei Bei Makes Debut Saturday at the National Zoo

PHOTO: Screen grab from National Zoo video of Bei Bei’s media debut in December.

____________________

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Smithsonian National Zoo’s most famous resident is about to step into the spotlight.

The Zoo is introducing Giant Panda cub Bei Bei in bits and pieces, with an unveiling to the general public Saturday, Jan. 16. Members of the media and a small group of avid Panda watchers recently got a glimpse of the famous bear.

The panda house has been closed since August to give the mother and cub quiet and time to bond. When it reopens, the panda house will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, according to the zoo. Until then, you can watch them on the panda cams, and visitors to the Zoo will be able to see Bei Bei’s father Tian Tian and Bei Bei’s sibling Bao Bao outside.

Watch mother Mei hoist Bei Bei into her arms in this adorable video posted on Instagram:

Depending on the time and the weather, the giant pandas have a choice to be outside or inside the panda house. The pandas typically have outdoor access between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The zoo recommends arriving early to avoid large crowds and long lines. Long lines require earlier cut-off times to ensure those waiting can enter the panda house before it closes. If you can’t find all of the pandas, they may be spending time in an enclosure behind-the-scenes.

Visitors can attend a giant panda keeper talk as part of the Zoo’s daily animal demonstrations. Check the calendar for a schedule of events.

Flash photography and video with handheld devices are permitted inside the panda house. For the safety of visitors, the use of tripods is prohibited. (See “Park Rules” for more information.)

Planning a visit? Here are some more tips when visiting the zoo:

• Zoo hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (grounds); 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (exhibit and visitor center buildings; Amazonia and Bird House open at 10 a.m.).
• The zoo is located at 3001 Connecticut Ave. NW. You can drive or take the metro, using their trip planner. If you take the metro the walk is uphill from the Woodley Park stop and flat from the Cleveland Park stop.
• If you drive, parking is FREE with certain levels of FONZ membership. You can become a FONZ member and park for free the same day. Learn about Membership here. While you cannot reserve parking in Zoo lots, the Zoo has partnered with Parking Panda to allow for parking reservations in nearby lots.
• If you ride a bicycle to the zoo there are bike racks near the Visitor Center and at Lion-Tiger Hill.
• Head to any information kiosk throughout the park for stroller, wheelchair, and electronic vehicle rental information. Pricing information can be found on our Accessibility page.
• For the safety of zoo visitors and animals, the use of selfie sticks and extension poles is prohibited.
• Commemorate your visit with a Bei Bei T-shirt, mug or plush toy.

See Bei Bei’s first steps here in a video posted online by the National Zoo: