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U.S. Zoos Face Strict Terms in Panda Leases, Including Health Disclosure Restrictions for Bao Li and Qing Bao

Oct 20, 2024, 05:47 PM

Recent revelations about the leasing of giant pandas from China to U.S. zoos have highlighted increasingly stringent contractual terms imposed by Chinese authorities. These contracts restrict zoo administrators from discussing panda health issues, including illness and death, without prior consultation with their Chinese partners. The terms also govern the management of panda-related media, including live feeds from panda cams, indicating a significant level of control by China over the public portrayal of these animals. Additionally, U.S. zoos are preparing for the arrival of two new pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, at a facility in rural Virginia, which currently cultivates over 13,000 bamboo stalks annually to support the pandas' diet. The New York Times has detailed five key provisions in these contracts that illustrate the extent of China's influence in this area.