Panda Cam Live: Smithsonian National Zoo + San Diego Zoo
Watch the beloved Smithsonian National Zoo Panda Cam live — after a brief absence in 2024, Bao Li and Qing Bao returned to Washington DC, with the Panda Cam relaunching January 24, 2025. Live 7 AM - 7 PM ET daily with 40 cameras throughout the habitat. Plus the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Giant Panda Cam and other zoo animal cams.
VIEW PANDA CAM LIVE →The Smithsonian's National Zoo Panda Cam is one of the most beloved live animal webcams in the world. After a brief absence in 2024 when the previous pandas returned to China, the cam returned January 24, 2025 with the opening of the new exhibit featuring Bao Li (male) and Qing Bao (female) — the pair arrived in fall 2024 and were given time to acclimate before going on public view. Per the Smithsonian National Zoo webcams page, the Giant Panda Cam is live from 7 AM to 7 PM ET daily — after 7 PM, the cam feed switches to a pre-recorded view of the last 12 hours. The camera system uses 40 cameras placed throughout the environment to watch the bears as they eat and play, with a team of trained volunteers monitoring and switching between the views. The National Zoo also streams other animals — lions, cheetahs, naked mole rats, elephants — via its full webcam network. Separately, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Giant Panda Cam offers a West Coast alternative.
Panda Cam + Zoo Cam Coverage
Smithsonian National Zoo Panda Cam
Bao Li + Qing Bao (returned 2025)
Live 7 AM - 7 PM ET daily. 40-camera system monitoring the pandas throughout the habitat.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park Giant Panda Cam
West Coast alternative
San Diego Zoo Giant Panda Cam offers additional panda viewing.
Smithsonian Lion Cam
African lion viewing
National Zoo African lion exhibit — roars often audible on live stream.
Smithsonian Elephant Cam
Asian elephant habitat
Multi-generation Asian elephants at the National Zoo.
Smithsonian Naked Mole Rat Cam
Fascinating underground colony
One of the most unusual live cams — naked mole rat colony at the Zoo.
Smithsonian Cheetah Cam
Big cat viewing
National Zoo cheetah exhibit — the world's fastest land animal on camera.
Return of Pandas (2025)
US-China panda diplomacy
Bao Li and Qing Bao are part of continued US-China giant panda conservation partnership — 10-year loan agreement.
Other Major Panda Cams
Chengdu + Atlanta (historic)
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (China) and Zoo Atlanta (until 2024) historically hosted panda cams.
When to Watch Panda + Zoo Live Cams
Panda Cam Viewing Windows
- Daily 7 AM - 7 PM ET — Smithsonian National Zoo live feed active window
- After 7 PM ET — Pre-recorded previous 12 hours (useful for time-shifted viewing)
- Lunchtime feeding — Pandas typically most active during bamboo feeding
- Morning activity — Pandas often playful early morning
- Fat Bear Week competitor — Panda cams spike during Fat Bear Week October as wildlife-cam viewer habits peak
- Holiday seasons — Panda Cam traffic peaks during major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas-NYE)
- DC cherry blossoms — March-April overlap — tourism spike
- Panda diplomacy news — Announcements about new panda arrivals spike viewership
- Cub birth alerts — If/when Qing Bao produces cubs — viral global attention
View Panda Cam Live
Watch Bao Li and Qing Bao live at Smithsonian National Zoo, 7 AM - 7 PM ET daily, free, no sign-up.
VIEW PANDA CAM LIVE →Pro Tip: Panda Cam + DC Zoo Visits
The Smithsonian National Zoo is free — no admission fee, unlike most US zoos. For in-person visits to see Bao Li and Qing Bao:
- Free admission — just reserve free tickets in advance during peak periods
- Located in Woodley Park, Washington DC — Metro Red Line Woodley Park or Cleveland Park
- Panda House is the main exhibit; pandas rotate indoor/outdoor based on temperature
- Morning is best for panda activity — arrive at zoo opening (~8 AM)
- Cherry blossom season (March-April) — combine with Tidal Basin visit. See Washington DC America 250 traffic cameras for major DC events planning.
Alternative panda viewing:
- San Diego Zoo Giant Panda Cam — West Coast option
- Zoo Atlanta pandas returned to China 2024 — Atlanta no longer has pandas
For comprehensive US zoo cam viewing, the Smithsonian offers the most-robust webcam network with pandas, lions, cheetahs, elephants, and naked mole rats all streaming. Wildlife-cam fans often pair pandas with the Katmai bear cam (Alaska brown bears), Decorah eagle cam (Iowa bald eagles), and the African safari live webcam for Big Five watching.
For other live-cam content, see our Katmai bear cam live webcam, Niagara Falls live webcam, Kilauea Volcano live webcam, Iceland volcano live webcam, Mount Etna & Stromboli live webcam, Northern Lights aurora live webcam, Kennedy Space Center launch cams, and Old Faithful live webcam.
For DC area visits, see our Washington DC traffic cameras guide, DCA / IAD airport guide, America 250 Washington DC guide, BWI Baltimore airport guide, and Virginia traffic cameras guide.
Watch Panda Cam + Zoo Animals Live
Stream Smithsonian National Zoo Panda Cam + additional animal cams.
VIEW PANDA CAM LIVE →Did the Smithsonian Panda Cam come back?
Yes — January 24, 2025. Per WUSA9, the Panda Cam relaunched the same day the public exhibit reopened with new pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao, who arrived in fall 2024.
What are the Panda Cam hours?
7 AM - 7 PM ET daily for live viewing per Smithsonian National Zoo. After 7 PM, the feed switches to a pre-recorded view of the last 12 hours — so you can time-shift watching.
How many cameras are on the pandas?
40 cameras placed throughout the environment. A team of trained volunteers monitors all angles and switches between views based on panda activity.
Is the Smithsonian National Zoo free to visit in person?
Yes — free admission. The Smithsonian's National Zoo is one of the few major US zoos with free admission. Reservations may be required during peak seasons.
Are there other panda cams I can watch?
Yes — the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Giant Panda Cam offers a West Coast alternative. Historically, Zoo Atlanta and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China have also hosted cams.
Ready to Watch the Panda Cam?
Stream Bao Li + Qing Bao live at Smithsonian National Zoo — free, 7 AM - 7 PM ET daily.
VIEW PANDA CAM LIVE →