China to send two new pandas to National Zoo

They're 7,500 miles away, but Washington, D.C. is already excited about two two-year-olds who spend their days devouring bamboo and tumbling down hills. The Smithsonian National Zoo now upgrading its panda exhibit for Bao Lee, a male panda with a teenager's energy, and Jing Bao, a more reserved female, relocating to D.C. by the end of the year, part of a new 10-year loan. It is proof positive of the success of our giant panda program. For five decades, they were the biggest stars at the zoo, part of a global conservation program that helped grow the wild population from 1,000 to 1,900 pandas today, plus another 800 in zoos worldwide, moving from endangered to vulnerable. If you want to save a species, you have to make more of them. But last November, pandamania came to an end when the agreement expired just as U.S.-Chinese relations became strained. All U.S. zoos have been returning their pandas until this new pandaplomacy breakthrough. That's great that they're coming back. And with a family twist for the male Bao Lee. This is very full circle for us because his grandparents came here in 2000. His mom was our only female cub born here at National Zoo. I encourage everyone to care for China-U.S. relations, just as you care for pandas, and jointly assuring a peaceful and prosperous future. Perhaps a little panda detente isn't all bad. Tom Costello, NBC News at the National Zoo. Thanks for watching. Stay updated about breaking news and top stories on the NBC News app, or follow us on social media.