Watch Giant Pandas in the US: Live Panda Cams
Updated October 3, 2026
Two US zoos are streaming live giant panda cams right now: the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC (live 7am–7pm ET daily, with a 12-hour replay after 7pm) and the San Diego Zoo. Zoo Atlanta's two new pandas landed September 27, 2026, and are still in quarantine — a cam is expected to return once they're on exhibit.
Panda cams at a glance
| Zoo | Pandas on cam | Cam status | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smithsonian National Zoo (Washington, DC) | Bao Li (male), Qing Bao (female) | Live daily 7am–7pm ET + 12-hour replay | nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams/panda-cam |
| San Diego Zoo | Yun Chuan (male), Xin Bao (female) | Live cam | zoo.sandiegozoo.org/cams/giant-panda-cam |
| Zoo Atlanta | Ping Ping (male), Fu Shuang (female) — arrived Sep 27, 2026 | In quarantine — not yet on view | zooatlanta.org/animal/giant-panda (status page) |
Which zoo should you watch?
Smithsonian National Zoo — best for reliable daily live hours
Bao Li and Qing Bao live at the National Zoo's Asia Trail in Washington, DC. The famous Giant Panda Cam is live every day from 7am to 7pm ET; after 7pm the feed switches to a pre-recorded view of the last 12 hours. The cam is operated by a volunteer crew of about 40 cameras.
San Diego Zoo — pandas in a rebuilt habitat
Yun Chuan and Xin Bao arrived from China in June 2024 and live at Denny Sanford Panda Ridge, rebuilt at four times the size of the old habitat. San Diego Zoo streams its Giant Panda Cam from the habitat. No cub has been announced as of early October 2026.
Zoo Atlanta — new pandas, watch this space
Ping Ping (male, born Mar 17, 2020) and Fu Shuang (female, born Oct 18, 2020) arrived in Atlanta on September 27, 2026 on a dedicated flight. They're completing a routine quarantine behind the scenes and were not yet visible as of early October. Zoo Atlanta's panda cam page will likely restart once they're on exhibit.
Zoo Atlanta pandas: arrival, quarantine, when they'll debut →
Why these are the only giant pandas in the US right now
As of October 2026 there are six giant pandas in the United States: two in DC, two in San Diego, and two (in quarantine) in Atlanta. Other US zoos that once hosted pandas — including Memphis and the National Zoo's earlier residents — no longer do. Zoo Atlanta's previous pandas returned to China in 2024, and the new pair arrived under a fresh 10-year cooperation agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
See the full list with dates: Where to see pandas in the US →
Frequently asked questions
Is the National Zoo panda cam free?
Yes. The Smithsonian National Zoo is free to visit, and its Giant Panda Cam is free to watch online, no account needed.
What time should I tune in to catch pandas active?
Pandas are most active in the early morning and late afternoon. For the National Zoo cam (live 7am–7pm ET), the morning feeding hours are often the liveliest. San Diego Zoo's cam streams the habitat throughout the day Pacific time.
Are there any baby pandas on cam?
No cubs are on exhibit as of October 2026. San Diego Zoo has not announced a cub; National Zoo's Bao Li and Qing Bao showed courtship behavior in spring 2026, but no pregnancy has been announced.
When will Zoo Atlanta's pandas be visible?
Ping Ping and Fu Shuang were in routine quarantine in early October 2026. Zoo Atlanta has not yet announced a public debut date — check zooatlanta.org for updates.
Sources
- Smithsonian National Zoo — Giant Panda Cam
- Smithsonian National Zoo — Giant Panda FAQs
- San Diego Zoo — Giant Panda Cam
- San Diego Zoo — Giant Pandas
- Zoo Atlanta — The Giant Pandas Have Landed
- Zoo Atlanta — FAQs: Giant Panda Program
This is an independent, non-official guide. Zoo and panda names belong to their respective owners; all facts link to official sources.