2 giant pandas arrive in Washington, DC from China

We're back with the giant pandas making their return to the nation's capital. Washington D.C. is celebrating the arrival of two 3-year-old giant pandas to the Smithsonian National Zoo. Janae Norman, down on the scene with all the details. Good morning, Janae. Hello, George. I am here on the scene. It is cold, so hopefully those pandas are inside and warm. For 11 months, the panda exhibit here at the Smithsonian National Zoo sat empty. But yesterday morning, 3-year-old pandas Chow Li and Bao Li landed at Dulles on what's been dubbed the Panda Express after making that 8,000-mile-long journey all the way from Chengdu, China. This morning, the giant pandas making their triumphant return to the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington. Newcomers 3-year-old Bao Li and Qing Bao traveling more than 8,000 miles from Chengdu, China aboard the FedEx Panda Express. The Boeing 777 cargo jet had one stop in Anchorage to refuel before landing at Dulles International Airport Tuesday around 11.30 a.m. The 19-hour journey ending with a police escort to the zoo, where these international ambassadors will have a routine 30-day quarantine to get acclimated to their new home. In preparation for the bear pair's arrival, the zoo adding some upgrades to the panda habitat including new hangout spots and even more cameras for the relaunch of the Giant Panda Livestream. For me, this is like welcoming new neighbors. Bao Li and Qing Bao will make their public debut January 24 and stay for 10 years, becoming the only giant pandas visitors can see for free in the United States. It's been nearly a year since our nation's capital last hosted the black and white bears, but the National Zoo's conservation program has been around since the 1970s. Now I'm almost going to cry now that there's pandas back at the zoo. For Bao Li, this move marks a family tradition. We actually got to meet him in China back in June. His mom was actually born at the Smithsonian National Zoo in D.C. back in 2013. You've probably heard of Bao Bao. Well her son Bao Li's highly anticipated arrival is sort of like him visiting his mom's hometown. And you can see how excited they are. They put up these new panda signs here to get everyone all, you know, to keep the pandemonium going. Folks are out here cheering as the pandas arrive. Mark your calendars. January 24th is when you can come and take a peek at them, guys. Mark your calendar because you're going to be back there January 24th to see them, Janay. You know you'll be there. Thank you.