This is a story not of sadness, but of nature. So, no tears.
Pretty much everyone knows of Bao Bao, the giant panda cub born to her mother, Mei Xiang, and father, Tian Tian, at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., in 2013.
Remember when Bao Bao was a little over 4 months old and stole our hearts with that face?
And when she was this precious muffin exploring her enclosure?
Thing is, Bao Bao always had a bit of an independent streak.
“Pay no mind.” —Bao Bao probably
In fact, by the time she hit 1 year old, Bao Bao was already in Bao Bao Land.
And contemplating the potential future flag of Bao Bao Land.
Soon, we were watching her conquer this dangerous world. Remember that time she got zapped by an electrical wire and scurried up a tree?
She eventually came back down older, wiser, stronger. No tears.
Then Bao Bao frolicked in, not cowered from, her first snow, in what was practically a nationally televised event.
“Just me and Bao Bao, that’s all I need, so no one should ever worry about me.” — Bao Bao right then probably
Alas, the moment we humans have been dreading has come. Bao Bao is now fully weaned and living independently of her mother, Mei Xiang, zoo officials said Tuesday.
Over the weekend, Bao Bao starting sleeping alone at night. But no tears. She was so comfortable, in fact, that she even played with some toys in the middle of the night.
In a statement the zoo said final separation is a moment keepers have been working toward for more than six months as mother and daughter grew further and further apart.
Our keepers will be nostalgic for the days when Mei and Bao Bao spent all of their time together, but they are very happy and excited for Bao Bao to continue to grow and thrive on her own. She has officially graduated from a cub to a juvenile panda!
So don’t be sad, save those tears. Bao Bao will be just fine.
Bao Bao will remain on her own at the zoo until she turns 4, at which point she’ll head home to China and forge her own adult path.
Giant pandas are essentially the property of China, but are considered on loan at zoos that participate in a worldwide effort to save the endangered species.
So godspeed, Bao Bao. The sky’s the limit. Your fellow ursine need you.
So proud.
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