China was just renting the pandas to us and their lease was up. That being said they’re definitely mad about the weather balloon. And a thousand other things.

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.

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

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

Correct. Pandas like dogs can adapt to the language(s) they grew up with. China is doing a disservice to the US born pandas

http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/1117/c90000-9143027.html

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.

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

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

Are the orangutans still there?

Also they are spending $2.5 million to fix up the panda exhibit for hopefully the next pandas. China is recalling all pandas from the US right now due to strained diplomatic relations. When (if?) things improve, they should be back.

Anonymous wrote:Why did China take the pandas?

They really suck.

Keep up with geopolitics, and you won't have to ask silly questions.
We're in a cold war with China over economic hegemony of the world. That's the Cliff Notes. And as long as we can keep it to a cold, not a hot war, we'll be fine.

Why did China take the pandas?

They really suck.

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.

The zoo is a Federal institution funded by tax dollars, not souvenier sales. Admission will be free as long as voters want it to be free.

It’s still free admission, it always has been because it’s in the Smithsonian charter to be free and accessible to all.

China took back the Pandas this morning. Now the enclosure will either sit empty or be converted to something else, but for years to come it will still be referred to as “the panda house”.

The pandas were a big draw for the zoo. And certainly the highest grossing exhibit in terms of souvenir sales. Now all that is over.

Will the Smithsonian start charging admission for the zoo now that their souvenir cash cows are gone?