Will the Zoo still be free admission without the pandas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The zoo is free. However, it will be easy to get parking now. I feel bad for the people who were planning to go Friday.

This.

[Anonymous]

We should have just kept the damn pandas and told China to go pound sand.

They want to go to war over pandas? Okay, sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the orangutans still there?

Yes they are still there and fun to watch. They were with the great apes a few days ago when we went as the other building is under renovation I think. The newly renovated bird house is a really nice exhibit and they have flamingos, spoonbills, and lots of other interesting birds on the outside part. Plenty to see without the pandas!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it weird that my first thought this morning was that the pandas don’t “speak” Chinese?

This killed me LOL!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in SoCal & our zoo here costs a pretty penny for admission.

It is supposedly “World Famous,” but I think it is just a typical, common zoo. 🦓 🐘 🦒
Nothing special.

So I think you guys are all incredibly lucky to have a free zoo.

wrong. We visited the san diego zoo and safari park a few years ago and were blown away by both. I have lived in DC for 25 years and yes its nice to have a free zoo, but its tiny, so many exibits are need upgrades and repairs, small and sad habitats for most animals. You get what you pay for

[Anonymous]

Yes it will remain free. The pandas were not the reason it was free. It's federally funded, like all the other Smithsonian museums.

[Anonymous]

It has to remain free because it is a Smithsonian. However they’re going to need to up their game because without the pandas, there really isn’t a ton of reason to go to that zoo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did China take the pandas?

They really suck.

China was pandering with those pandas right from the get go.

[Anonymous]

The take back of The Pandas is the most serious indication that US/China Relations is not good.

[Anonymous]

Chy-na big mad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is so petty. And if I’m not mistaken we paid china for pandas anyway.

We’ve paid a lot over the years to “rent” the pandas. But China has always maintained ownership of virtually every panda worldwide. So they can always take them back.
I took my kids to see them yesterday. Lucky timing.

Lucky? Its been well known for awhile now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in SoCal & our zoo here costs a pretty penny for admission.

It is supposedly “World Famous,” but I think it is just a typical, common zoo. 🦓 🐘 🦒
Nothing special.

So I think you guys are all incredibly lucky to have a free zoo.

It’s not free. It’s taxpayer funded. So in addition to paying to visit the SD Zoo (which is spectacular, btw), you’re also paying for the National Zoo, whether you visit or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they can get some giraffes instead? I’d be happy with that trade.

Nope! The zoo decided to take care of Elephants and apparently it is difficult to care for them both well.

I say I liked the Pandas but wouldnt give China the satisfaction of thinking we are upset.

Because I'm not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in SoCal & our zoo here costs a pretty penny for admission.

It is supposedly “World Famous,” but I think it is just a typical, common zoo. 🦓 🐘 🦒
Nothing special.

So I think you guys are all incredibly lucky to have a free zoo.

wrong. We visited the san diego zoo and safari park a few years ago and were blown away by both. I have lived in DC for 25 years and yes its nice to have a free zoo, but its tiny, so many exibits are need upgrades and repairs, small and sad habitats for most animals. You get what you pay for

Different SoCal resident here, by way of Washington DC where I was born and raised. PP didn't say where in SoCal they are. It could be LA, Orange County, or San Diego - all 3 have zoos. That aside, I agree San Diego Zoo & Safari Park is wonderful and worth the drive.

[Anonymous]

Whaaat? You think the pandas were the reason the zoo is free?