March 16

National Panda Day

Celebrate National Panda Day with some fuzzy, fun-loving friends! Get to know these adorable animals and learn about their conservation efforts.

Yearly Date
March 16
Type
Day
Category
Animal

Introduction

Celebrate National Panda Day with enthusiasm and joy on March 16th! This day has been around since 2000, when it was created to raise awareness of the adorable panda bear and its endangered status in the wild. Over the years, this special day has become a much anticipated event for many animal lovers who take time to appreciate these gentle giants.

National Panda Day Timeline

1869
First Westerner Panda Sighting
French missionary Armand David became the first westerner to describe a giant panda to the scientific community.
1936
"Su Lin" Arrives In the USA
American Ruth Harkness becomes the first Westerner to bring a live panda, a cub named Su Lin, out of China.
1961
World Wildlife Fund Founded
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is founded, using a giant panda named Chi Chi as its logo, thus globally symbolizing endangered species and conservation efforts.
2000
Inception of National Panda Day
National Panda Day is created to raise awareness about these beautiful animals and their endangered status in the wild.
2008
Panda Conservation Milestone
The Chinese government increases its efforts to save the giant panda, expanding their habitats and initiating conservation programs.
2016
Pandas No Longer Endangered
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) changes the status of giant pandas from "endangered" to "vulnerable” thanks to successful conservation efforts.

How to Celebrate National Panda Day

1

Watch a Panda movie

Pop some popcorn and settle in for a night of panda movies. There are so many to choose from, including Kung Fu Panda, Pooh's Heffalump Movie, and even A Bear Called Paddington.

2

Visit a zoo

Head out to your local zoo to visit the pandas! Many zoos have special panda exhibits that let you get up close and personal with these adorable creatures.

3

Make panda crafts

Get your craft supplies out and start making some panda art! Whether it’s paper plate pandas or panda finger puppets, there’s plenty of creative ways to celebrate.

4

Go for a nature walk

Take a stroll in your local park or nature preserve and look for signs of pandas. Don't forget to bring a pair of binoculars, as pandas can be difficult to spot in their natural habitat.

5

Cook with bamboo

Pandas love their bamboo so why not celebrate by cooking with it? You can make stir fries, soups, or even use it as an ingredient in desserts!

Why We Love National Panda Day

A

Pandas are adorable

Who can resist the cuteness of pandas? With their big black eyes, fuzzy fur, and playful personalities, they are sure to make you smile no matter how bad your day is going! Plus, pandas come in different colors like white and brown, so there's a panda for everyone.

B

Pandas help to preserve nature

The preservation and protection of pandas is critical for maintaining stability in the wild. By protecting these animals, we help safeguard many other plant and animal species that rely on them for survival. In addition, preserving these iconic species also helps to protect fragile ecosystems around the world.

C

Pandas are an important part of culture

Pandas have been an important symbol in Chinese culture for hundreds of years. They are recognized as a symbol of peace, harmony, prosperity and fertility. In recent times, pandas have become popular icons throughout the world due to their endearing physical attributes and cute demeanor.

National Panda Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Mar 15
Wednesday
2024
Mar 15
Friday
2025
Mar 15
Saturday
2026
Mar 15
Sunday
2027
Mar 15
Monday