In Washington, Bao Bao delighted the zoo and panda fans. She was born on August 23, 2013. Her mother Mei Xiang, to her first cub, Tai Shan, in 2005, failed to get pregnant again for years. Then, a cub was born in 2012 but didn't survive. Mei Xian has since had a third cub, Bei Bei, was born on August 22, 2015. Older brother Tai Shan the zoo for China in 2010.

Bao Bao will also leave for China next year. The zoo is preparing for Bao Bao's . A travel crate will soon be placed in Bao Bao's habitat so she .