Part 7/9:
By late 2024, all pandas in U.S. zoos are expected to leave, marking the conclusion of what some see as "punitive panda diplomacy." The pandas currently in American zoos have been loaned or gifted over decades, but with the expiration of these agreements, the animals are being returned to China.
This development has left American zoos confused and disappointed, as pandas have been iconic attractions and diplomatic symbols for decades. The removal of pandas underscores a broader decline in the traditional tools of soft diplomacy, as geopolitics grow increasingly contentious.