Brandie Smith, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, leads the panda program and champions conservation. She recounts the fascinating history of pandas as diplomatic gifts from China in the 1970s. Smith dives into the unique challenges of panda reproduction and the zoo's success in boosting populations. She reflects on her journey from aspiring doctor to zoo director, emphasizing the importance of genetic diversity and the global appeal of the panda cam in promoting conservation.