With some family in the city for the day we decided to go visit one of DC’s most famous residents and one of the rarest animals in the world. Unfortunately Tai Shan, the 4 year old Panda Cub, will soon be heading back to the home of his ancestors. More on Tai Shan and some pictures of the Zoo Lights inside.
I had been living in DC for a little bit over a year when news broke of the first Panda to be born in the US. I remember waking up early one morning, when my parents were visiting, to be in line at 8:00 am for the first tickets to take them to see the then small cub. Tai Shan has since grown up a lot, become the main attraction of the National Zoo and also a point of some debate. Everyone knew he was to go back to China after 2 years, but an extension and then another kept him here. A few weeks ago though the extensions ran out, there is no set date for his departure but it is just a matter of time.
Even the holiday lights at the zoo’s “ZooLights” display prominently feature a small Panda cub; a somewhat sad reminder of our soon to be departing fellow resident.
I will post an update once there is a departure date announced, but in the mean time head over to see Tai Shan and maybe the ZooLights display while you still can.
An article on Tai Shan’s departure for those interested:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/04/AR2009120401502.html
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