The Sex Lives of Giant Pandas

Sidedoor

Smithsonian Institution

Science, The Smithsonian, Tony Cohn, Art19, African American History And Culture, Exhibit, Dc, Exhibits, Pop Culture, Zoo, National Museum, National Zoo, Natural History, Air And Space, Smithsonian, Postal Museum, History Of The World, History, Sidedoor, Museum, Washington, Society & Culture, American History

4.6 • 2.3K Ratings

🗓️ 22 January 2025

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Whether it's live on the Smithsonian National Zoo's panda cam or in front of a crowd, possibly no other animal's sex life is as closely watched as the giant pandas' is. And there's a reason. These cuddly-looking black and white bears just can't figure out how to mate. But, with a little help from science, the once-endangered giant panda is making a comeback. To honor the arrival of the National Zoo's newest giant pandas, we peep into the (not so secret) sex lives of pandas.

Guests:
Pierre Comizzoli, panda sex expert and staff scientist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Lisa Stevens, AKA “Panda Lady”; former senior curator of mammals at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Stephen Powers, panda fan

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, Side Dorables. As you may know, we've got big news over here in the nation's capital.
0:08.0	We are rolling out the red carpet for some of the most talked-about figures making a grand return to D.C.
0:15.0	Big personalities, international intrigue, and a whole lot of fans.
0:20.0	That's right, it's the return of the giant pandas.
0:24.7	On January 24th, giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao
0:28.6	will make their public debut at the Smithsonian's National Zoo
0:31.9	and Conservation Biology Institute.
0:34.3	And if all goes to plan, those two may be a family of three before too long.
0:40.0	In honor of Bao Li and Ching Bao, we're going to share a favorite episode of ours,
0:44.3	the sex lives of giant pandas. You'll hear the story of how the first pandas came to the zoo,
0:50.4	and why making panda cubs is trickier than it might seem.
0:55.1	Hope you enjoy.
1:05.6	This is Side Door, a podcast from the Smithsonian with support from PRX.
1:10.0	I'm Lizzie Peabody.
1:19.7	Thank you. A podcast from the Smithsonian with support from PRX. I'm Lizzie Peabody. One evening in the early 1970s, this presidential message interrupted primetime television.
1:26.4	Now an address by the president of the United States speaking live from Washington.
1:31.3	President Richard Nixon stepped up to a podium with a blue curtain behind him.
1:35.3	And from there, he made an announcement that shocked Americans across the country.
1:40.3	No, it was not that he was resigning from office, but it may have been just as big, possibly bigger.
1:48.1	I have requested this television time tonight to announce a major development in our efforts to build a lasting peace in the world.
1:56.1	Nixon announced that he had accepted an invitation to go to China and meet with Chairman Mao Zedong.
2:01.6	A Washington Post reporter wrote that, quote,
	...

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