One of my all-time favorite animals are pandas. Living in the DC area, we are very fortunate to have giant pandas on loan to the National Zoo. Back in 2005, the area was thrilled to welcome a brand new panda cub, Tai Shan. Unfortunately, all of the pandas are here on loan from China and the zoo knew that the pandas stay was going to be short. Tai Shan's day is coming this week. On Thursday Feb. 4, he will be transported via cargo plane back to China where he will become a part of a breeding program that will hopefully continue to further the species. So, we took a trip to the zoo to say goodbye to Tai Shan and visit his family. We also had several inches of snow the day before, which the pandas love.
We were greeted by Mei Xiang playing in the snow. She is Tai Shan's mom, and there is great hope that she may pregnant right now!
She was so playful, rolling down the hill! 
Having a little bamboo snack. Look at her belly- they have it shaved. This is to enable vets to do ultrasounds- to assist with the insemination process, and to figure out whether or not she is pregnant.
This big guy is Tian Tian. He is Tai Shan's father (although they have had no contact, ever), and Mei Xiang's mate. The pair are also on loan from China and may be going back soon themselves, which is another reason to hope for a pregnancy.
And here is Tai Shan, eating bamboo and totally oblivious to the attention that he is getting.
This is the crate that Tia Shan will be traveling to China in.
A panda poser- this is the super adorable red panda.
And here is the Lesser Panda.
And here is the Lesser Panda.
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