2023 Family Trip to Washington DC - Smithsonian National Zoo - Day 07 Pt 1- 2023/05/04

Today is Day 7 of our 2023 Washington DC trip and we've left it pretty open. No specific plans, so we can just go do whatever we want. And what's the main thing the kids really want to do? If you guessed "Go back and see the pandas" you are 100% correct! 

We hopped on the metro around 11am and traveled a few miles to our stop. 

After getting checked in at the gate, the kids had their eyes open for anything related to pandas. Looks like pandas love popcorn. 

And pretzels too, because who doesn't love a good pretzel. 

Then it was over to the panda enclosure. Here we again met our friend Alonzo who the kids (mostly Ian) peppered with questions when we were here a couple days ago. He introduced us to another volunteer who knows even more about pandas then he does. She fielded all the kids questions and told them all about what they do for the pandas enrichment activities. Hiding treats in toys, giving them new things to play with...

And here's another form of enrichment. We saw a keeper pouring honey all over a round ball.  

Think she can smell it? 

I think maybe. 

Going straight in for the honey ball. 

We also learned about the efforts to help restore the panda population. 

Baby pandas are so cute! 

And everyone is happy to see that pandas have moved from being on the Endangered Species list to now being Vulnerable. Conservation efforts have helped! 

Making sure to get every last bit of that honey. 

After spending over an hour looking at the pandas and asking lots of questions, it was time to explore more of the zoo. Our friend Alonzo asked if we'd be coming back again before we leave. Definitely! 

Looks like it's nap time. 

Nap time for not just the pandas. 

Checking out the Komodo Dragon. 

I bet it would eat a panda cub if it could. 

That extra long tongue is wild! 

Ooh, a copperhead snake. Luckily we haven't encountered any of them in the wild. 

A crazy blue frog. 

Guinea pigs? 

Some cows and alpacas living the life in the middle of Washington DC. 

Oooh. Ben & Jerry's. We've been there.

Alli and Ian spotting a prairie dog. 

And it's spotting them right back. 

Off to see some big cats. 

A big tiger. 

And a lion too. 

With a great big mane. 

Back over to the pandas and our friend Alonzo has something special for Ian! 

For being such a curious guy and being super interested in animals, during his lunch break, Alonzo went over to the gift shop and got Ian a Smithsonian National Zoo bucket hat and a panda patch to affix to it. 

We were blown away by the kindness. Thank you Alonzo for encouraging all the learning and curiosity! 

From there, we just hung out in the panda exhibit watching the pandas doing whatever they were doing. 

Sleeping mostly. 

Rolling over. 

We didn't know it at the time, but this is the last time we're going to be seeing these pandas. 

Back in 2000, China and the zoo entered into a 10 year agreement for the pandas to be here. It has been renewed multiple times since, but in 2023, China decided they wanted their pandas back. 

It was great though being able to see Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and baby Xiao Qi Ji! 

We are taking away lots of great memories from the zoo. 

Back over to the metro.  

Time to head back into DC and see a few more of the highlights before we leave tomorrow.