Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Dive into five! Giant panda Bao Li celebrated turning five with a shark-themed birthday bash this morning at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The “bearthday” boy enjoyed a special panda-friendly fruitsicle cake made by the Zoo’s Department of Nutrition Science as crowds gathered at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat.
Bao Li’s shark-themed party was inspired by a stripe of longer fur that runs down the middle of his back, which keepers affectionately call his “shark fin.” Using frozen diluted apple and pineapple juices, commissary keepers topped the multi-tiered cake with a gray shark fin. Bao Li removed all of the decorative elements—“minnows” carved from sweet potatoes, blueberry “bubbles,” a carrot carved into a palm tree with pineapple leaf fronds, and “sand” made of crushed leafeater biscuits—before sinking his teeth into the frozen cake tiers. He also chilled for a while with the cake against his belly.
“We’re gonna need a bigger boat…” fender for Bao Li! Our panda is a big fan of the inflatable enrichment toys. Often, he will run around, roll on the ground and climb trees with the fender in tow. Keepers searched for the biggest boat fender they could find, then wrapped it in a blue box inscribed with “Dive into 5” and “Have a JAWSome birthday” in non-toxic, water-based paint. At first, Bao Li gingerly tore the gift with his teeth. Once he saw what was inside, he excitedly ripped open the box and rolled on his back, proudly showing off his new toy to the crowd. Moments later, he rolled around, sat on the toy to squeeze all the air out and gave it several good chomps before carrying it down the hill.
“Bao Li is the embodiment of joy,” said giant panda keeper Mariel Lally. “He is always in a lively, playful mood. If you aren't sure what an overjoyed laughing giant panda looks like, keep your eye out for when Bao Li puts his forelimb in his mouth and shakes it around. When bears bite their arms in this manner, it is equivalent to people laughing!”
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America joined the panda party with a selection of family-friendly activities including calligraphy, coloring, face painting/nail art stations, a panda mascot, plus giant panda-themed trivia with prizes. Virtual visitors tuned into the Zoo’s Giant Panda Cam, sponsored by The Boeing Company, to watch Bao Li enjoy his birthday festivities.
Dive into five! Giant panda Bao Li celebrated turning five with a shark-themed birthday bash this morning at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The “bearthday” boy enjoyed a special panda-friendly fruitsicle cake made by the Zoo’s Department of Nutrition Science as crowds gathered at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat.
Bao Li’s shark-themed party was inspired by a stripe of longer fur that runs down the middle of his back, which keepers affectionately call his “shark fin.” Using frozen diluted apple and pineapple juices, commissary keepers topped the multi-tiered cake with a gray shark fin. Bao Li removed all of the decorative elements—“minnows” carved from sweet potatoes, blueberry “bubbles,” a carrot carved into a palm tree with pineapple leaf fronds, and “sand” made of crushed leafeater biscuits—before sinking his teeth into the frozen cake tiers. He also chilled for a while with the cake against his belly.
“We’re gonna need a bigger boat…” fender for Bao Li! Our panda is a big fan of the inflatable enrichment toys. Often, he will run around, roll on the ground and climb trees with the fender in tow. Keepers searched for the biggest boat fender they could find, then wrapped it in a blue box inscribed with “Dive into 5” and “Have a JAWSome birthday” in non-toxic, water-based paint. At first, Bao Li gingerly tore the gift with his teeth. Once he saw what was inside, he excitedly ripped open the box and rolled on his back, proudly showing off his new toy to the crowd. Moments later, he rolled around, sat on the toy to squeeze all the air out and gave it several good chomps before carrying it down the hill.
“Bao Li is the embodiment of joy,” said giant panda keeper Mariel Lally. “He is always in a lively, playful mood. If you aren't sure what an overjoyed laughing giant panda looks like, keep your eye out for when Bao Li puts his forelimb in his mouth and shakes it around. When bears bite their arms in this manner, it is equivalent to people laughing!”
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America joined the panda party with a selection of family-friendly activities including calligraphy, coloring, face painting/nail art stations, a panda mascot, plus giant panda-themed trivia with prizes. Virtual visitors tuned into the Zoo’s Giant Panda Cam, sponsored by The Boeing Company, to watch Bao Li enjoy his birthday festivities.
