Zoo to rent 2 giant pandas from China for $10 million

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Panda House at the National Zoo, vacant since giant panda Hsing-Hsing died six months ago, will get two new residents under a 10-year, $10 million loan agreement with China.

The Chinese Embassy announced Sunday that Beijing has given final approval to lend two giant pandas to the National Zoo.As outlined in a letter of intent signed April 7, the deal calls for the Smithsonian Institution, which operates the zoo, to donate $1 million a year for 10 years to China to essentially rent the pandas.