While temperatures are rising outside, it’s a pair of playful pandas that are truly warming hearts.
Recently, two pandas transported from China to a zoo in Washington, D.C., were captured on video seemingly ‘flirting’ through the glass of their enclosures.
The duo, Bao Li and Qing Ba, are four-year-old giant pandas who arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo from Beijing. Their arrival marks the latest chapter in the practice known as ‘panda diplomacy.’
‘Panda diplomacy’ refers to China’s tradition of sending pandas abroad as symbols of goodwill, a practice that has historical roots stretching back to 907 AD.
This adorable pair touched down in late 2024 and made their official public appearance at the zoo on January 24, 2025.
Their ‘flirting’ behavior signals a hopeful development for panda breeding in the United States, as there hasn’t been a naturally conceived panda birth in the country since August 2020.
Pandas are native only to China, and pandas in American zoos are on loan from the Chinese government, making them a rare sight in the US.
In an adorable video shared by the Smithsonian National Zoo, male giant panda Bao Li is seen rushing to his small window, where female Qing Bao waited to greet him.
Bao Li is seen in the foreground, peeping through his ‘howdy’ window, trying to get Qing Bao’s attention
The pair of four-year-old giant pandas were shipped from Beijing to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in DC
Bao Li is seen standing, shuffling along the wall, and hobbling around his habitat
Bao Li rolled and shimmied with excitement as the pair showed mutual interest.
The two cuddly pandas pressed their paws against the ‘howdy’ window mesh, with Bao Li standing, shuffling along the wall, and then dashing back to Qing Bao.
He even hobbled and dashed around his enclosure before returning to his gal pal.
‘A sure sign of spring is when our giant panda pair, Bao Li and Qing Bao, begin to show interest in one another,’ the Zoo shared.
‘The result is an adorable tutorial in how to flirt, panda-style,’ they added.
The Smithsonian Zoo said the playful interaction is a promising sign of potential mating in the future.
Giant pandas reach adulthood between five and seven years, which is when they begin mating.
Both four-year-old pandas are the equivalent of human early teens, so the zoo notes they still have some time before reaching breeding age.
Though still young, the zoo emphasized that the pair showing ‘positive interest’ in each other is an important first step.
‘Bao Li is currently in rut—the period when male giant pandas ready themselves for breeding. Typically, it lasts from November to May,’ they wrote.
‘During this time, if he catches a glimpse of Qing Bao, he will vocalize and try to grab her attention.’
Bao Li is in rut, the period of time when male pandas are readying for breeding, so he tries to capture the female’s attention
The Smithsonian Zpo said it’s a positive sign they’re showing interest, indicating future breeding
Bao Li is full of energy as he is seen standing and shuffling against his enclosure’s wall
Bao Li has been full of energy, always running around his habitat and trying to capture Qing Bao’s attention.
The zoo added that the female panda usually ignores males outside breeding season, but she isn’t intentionally ghosting him.
‘Female giant pandas’ interest in males is driven by their hormones, which only ramp up for a few consecutive weeks out of the entire year.
‘This time of year, Bao Li and Qing Bao are very active and their flirtations are adorable and fun to watch,’ they added.
