Metro celebrates the return of giant pandas with limited-edition SmarTrip card

Just days away from the public debut of D.C.'s new giant pandas at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, and Metro is celebrating in a special way.

Metro announced customers will be able to purchase a special SmarTrip card, in collaboration with the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Metro celebrates new giant pandas at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo with a commemorative SmarTrip card

Customers can commemorate the public debut of the giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao at the Smithsonian's National Zoo with a new limited-edition SmarTrip card available at select stations beginning Jan. 22.

To purchase the commemorative card, look for specially marked fare vending machines at the following Metro stations:

  • Woodley Park/Zoo
  • Cleveland Park
  • Dupont Circle
  • Metro Center
  • L'Enfant Plaza

Zoo visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of Bao Li and Qing Bao once the pair debuts on Jan. 24 are encouraged to take the Metro. 

Meet the pandas

The backstory:

D.C.’s new pair of three-year-old giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, got some play time during their first week in their new home at Washington's National Zoo.

Zoo officials say keepers gave the bears enrichment toys, which encourage them to play and use their natural behavior to help them feel more at home in their new enclosure.

Washington, D.C.News