Here’s Your Chance to See Bei Bei Before Everyone Else in DC

You can stop lamenting over the fact that you have to wait until January 16 to see Bei Bei and his squad of pandas. The National Zoo announced via Instagram that they will be giving 25 panda-loving Instagrammers the opportunity to see the nation’s beloved panda a month before his public debut.

Calling all panda fans! This is YOUR chance to be part of #PandaStory. 25 lucky Instagrammers will have the chance to see Bei Bei before the public debut and have a special behind-the-scenes experience! For details on our Dec. 19 #Instameet click the link in our profile. @Instagram @Smithsonian

A photo posted by Smithsonian’s National Zoo (@smithsonianzoo) on Dec 1, 2015 at 10:06am PST

As a part of the #ZooMeet, you’ll not only get to see Bei Bei, but you will get a behind-the-scenes look at the David M. Rubenstein Panda Habitat and have all of your burning panda questions answered by the zoo’s panda keepers and biologists.

To be selected, you need to create a 15-second video on Instagram about why you should be selected and complete this registration form by December 7. For all the details, check out nationalzoo.si.edu.

And if you need a little inspiration before you make your #ZooMeet video, here are some Bei Bei videos:

#BeiBei had a veterinary checkup yesterday! Vets checked his teeth and legs, and measured him. His teeth are still coming in, his rear legs are getting stronger, and he’s getting longer! And he’s definitely even more adorable. #PandaStory

One small step for panda…one adorably wobbly moment for all of us—#BeiBei’s first steps! Under the watchful eye of mom Mei Xiang, #BeiBei took his first steps (and got a major cuddle) on Monday, Nov. 9 around 4:50pm. #PandaStory #WeSaveSpecies #Instascience Now that he’s got all four paws under him, Bei Bei will begin to wander around and leave the den on his own to explore the indoor enclosure.

A video posted by Smithsonian’s National Zoo (@smithsonianzoo) on Nov 10, 2015 at 2:38pm PST

Ryan Weisser

UX Designer

As Washingtonian’s UX designer, Ryan works with Washingtonian’s editorial and digital teams to design digital products that address reader’s needs online. Her background in interactive journalism and web production influence design strategies that ensure users have the best possible experience–on any platform.

Ryan enjoys running, trying new restaurants in DC, and Instagramming her favorite places around DC. You can follow her on Instagram (@ryan_weisser) and on Twitter (@Ryan_Weisser).