Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing
Encyclopedia
Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing (1970–99) were two Giant Panda
s given to the United States
as gifts by the government of China
following President Richard Nixon
's visit
in 1972. In return, the U.S. government sent China a pair of musk oxen.
They arrived at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
, on April 16, 1972, at a ceremony attended by First Lady Pat Nixon
. While at the zoo, they attracted millions of visitors each year.
During their time at the National Zoo, the pair had five cubs, but none of them survived past a few days.
Ling-Ling died suddenly from heart failure in December, 1992, at which time she was the longest-lived giant panda in captivity outside China
. Hsing-Hsing would go on to pass her record when he was euthanized by zookeepers in November 1999 at the age of 28 due to painful kidney failure . Following Hsing-Hsing's death, the zoo received thousands of letters and cards from people across the country expressing sympathy.
The Panda House at the National Zoo remained empty for over a year until the arrival of Mei Xiang
and Tian Tian
from the Wolong Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda in December 2000.
Giant Panda
The giant panda, or panda is a bear native to central-western and south western China. It is easily recognized by its large, distinctive black patches around the eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. Though it belongs to the order Carnivora, the panda's diet is 99% bamboo...
s given to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as gifts by the government of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
following President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
's visit
1972 Nixon visit to China
U.S. President Richard Nixon's 1972 visit to the People's Republic of China was an important step in formally normalizing relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China. It marked the first time a U.S. president had visited the PRC, who at that time considered the U.S. one...
in 1972. In return, the U.S. government sent China a pair of musk oxen.
They arrived at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, on April 16, 1972, at a ceremony attended by First Lady Pat Nixon
Pat Nixon
Thelma Catherine "Pat" Ryan Nixon was the wife of Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States, and was First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974. She was commonly known as Patricia or Pat Nixon.Born in Nevada, Pat Ryan grew up in Los Angeles, California...
. While at the zoo, they attracted millions of visitors each year.
During their time at the National Zoo, the pair had five cubs, but none of them survived past a few days.
Ling-Ling died suddenly from heart failure in December, 1992, at which time she was the longest-lived giant panda in captivity outside China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Hsing-Hsing would go on to pass her record when he was euthanized by zookeepers in November 1999 at the age of 28 due to painful kidney failure . Following Hsing-Hsing's death, the zoo received thousands of letters and cards from people across the country expressing sympathy.
The Panda House at the National Zoo remained empty for over a year until the arrival of Mei Xiang
Mei Xiang
Mei Xiang is a female Giant Panda who lives at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C...
and Tian Tian
Tian Tian
Tian Tian is a 275-pound male giant panda at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. The panda was born on August 27, 1997, at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda at the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province, to Yong Ba and Pan Pan...
from the Wolong Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda in December 2000.