Panda lovers have been glued to the National Zoo’s “Panda Cam” since cub Bei Bei was welcomed into the world nearly five months ago — admiring his growth and cooing over his latest tumbles from afar.
But the distance between the 25-pound cub and his adoring fans shrank Saturday, when he made his public debut.
The National Zoo prepared for large crowds for Saturday’s 9 a.m. event, the first time the public was able to see Bei Bei in person at the zoo’s panda habitat.
Two years ago on the cold January day that Bei Bei’s older sister, Bao Bao, made her public debut, nearly 5,500 people visited the zoo, according to zoo spokeswoman Devin Murphy.
Visitors were let into the panda house a few dozen at a time in order to keep crowding at a minimum, Ms. Murphy said.
To help visitors capture images of the zoo’s latest star, officials have set up a “selfie station” inside the panda house, where visitors can snap a few pics with the photogenic cub.
PHOTOS: Pandas of the National Zoo
But aside from the throngs of Bei Bei’s fans, visitors were advised not to expect pandemonium at the debut. Pandas cubs spend a lot of time sleeping — a talent for which Bei Bei demonstrated a knack when he fell asleep during his December media debut.
• Andrea Noble can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
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