Giant pandas at National Zoo have different personality traits

When D.C.'s newest residents are quickly adjusting after just 24 hours in the city, national zoo experts picked up on the two new giant pandas' personalities. So, it seems like Bao Lee is the extrovert and Ching Bao is the introvert. Now, regardless, zoo staff say the three-year-old pandas are just full of energy and they're really eager to play. Our Leslie Moreno spoke to some of the zoo caretakers about what the next few days and months will look like ahead of their debut to the public next year. Bao Lee and Ching Bao are loving D.C. It's amazing. It's definitely a whirlwind. We've been preparing a long time for it. WUSA9 cameras were allowed inside the national zoo to learn more about D.C.'s new residents. Lori Thompson is one of the caretakers. She says one is super social, the other a bit more shy. Ching Bao seems to be definitely a little more reserved than Bao Lee, a little more nervous about the new sounds, and Bao Lee's just sort of taken over like he's lived here forever. Over the next few days, staff and pandas will spend as much time together as possible, getting used to the new faces, sounds, and surroundings. They have to trust us. They have to be able to recognize our voices. They have to, you know, come when we call them. The pandas will also undergo a quarantine period of 30 days. Their health will be closely monitored. Then the fun part, enjoying their newly renovated play area with new pools, beds, and climbing structures. They're eager to work. They love to interact with their keeper staff. Bao Lee is a little bit more active and a little bit more vocal in his pleasure of working with people, where Ching Bao is a little bit more reserved. She likes to work on her own time and decide when she works, but when she is working, she is very engaged and very active. And if you're wondering how much bamboo they eat a day, 100 pounds each. They ate overnight. They're eating this morning, so they're starting to settle in really well, and we're going to learn their routine. They're going to learn ours, and so they, like, it's a little bit of a feeling out period for the next couple days, but overall they're doing great. The pandas will make their debut on January 24th of next year. The Panda Cam will also be available starting January 24th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In Northwest D.C., Les Marino, WUSA 9. I love that one of them's an introvert and one of them's an extrovert. Leslie, thank you. Stay with WUSA 9 for the latest on the pandas' return to D.C. and their impending debut at the National Zoo. Right now, you can stream our extended coverage on the free WUSA 9 Plus streaming app for Roku, Fire TV, and wherever you stream.