YouSaid · the spoken record

Brandie Smith

lines on the record: 37
first: 2025-02-06
most recent: 2025-02-06
sittings or episodes: 1
sources: podcast

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“National Zoo is part of Smithsonian. We are free. We are open and welcome to everyone. And when you come here, you are not just seeing the animals. You are not just having an incredible time that will stay with you and your family for the rest of your lives. You are part of our conservation success.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“What we're really fortunate, we were talking about the PandaCam, and so Boeing sponsors our PandaCams. They're corporations who help sponsor us. We have some incredibly generous donors who support us through philanthropy. And we also generate revenue. And so when people come here, they come to the zoo and they come here for free because we're Smithsonian. But when they buy a stuffed panda or a t-shirt or they eat a hamburger or a hot dog here, that money goes to support the zoo in all of our conservation work.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Or Smithsonians National Zoo, and so we receive about 60% of our funding from the federal government. And as such, we want to make sure that we are open and available to every single person who wants to see giant pandas and not necessarily be assailed by ads.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I think people really enjoy watching the panda cam because they're seeing them how we watch them. We decided we're going to do something a little bit different this year because it's not just people in the United States, but people around the world are watching the PandaCam. We want to do it during the daytime. During the 12 hours during the day when people are the pandas are awake, when keepers are interacting with them. So what we're going to do is we'll have 12 hours with the giant pandas and then replay that 12 hours for the people on the other side of the world who want to see giant pandas.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“And it would be, and not because, again, they're not predators, so they wouldn't see you with food. You wouldn't look like a tasty treat if you walked in. But they would think, they could think that you're a toy. They could think that we're something that we gave to them just to play with. Their jaws, their bite force actually equals that of a lion or tiger. So if they wanted to play with you, they've got the claws, they got the teeth, they got the strength, they could do some damage.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“So it's actually usually when they're about a year old, they hit about 100 pounds, and that's the time when they start to get, they're not predators, they're not going to see you as food, right? They don't see you as a threat. But even if they just do, right? They've got strong jaws, they've got sharp claws, so an animal could inadvertently hurt you even without trying.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“We do wellness checks on the cubs soon after they're born. So we do actually get hands on. Giant pandas just to make sure they're doing fine and they're healthy and everything's okay.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“So they own all pandas, but this is a good thing because the majority of pandas live in China. And so again, we're not producing pandas just because we want to, although it's wonderful, these pandas are all part of a conservation program. So if a cub was here and it grew up here, it can't breed with its parents. And so the cub returns to China so that it can be part of the breeding program.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“We didn't have any visitors, but we had to keep working. So if we're responsible for the living collection, I'll actually never forget that moment because the world is closing down because of COVID and our team gathered in our line in Tiger Building. And the offices there have this kind of bunker-like feel. And we were there. And we said, okay, what do we do? And everyone's concern. The concern wasn't I can't go home. The concern was, what happens if I get sick and I can't take care of my animals? And so we had animal care, we had A-team and B team that didn't cross, so we could always have someone who could be there to take care of the animals.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“So just under 2 million people come every year and we actually only had one year without giant pandas. And what we noticed was that our attendance actually dropped 20% when giant pandas weren't here.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“It is one of the saddest moments of my life when I was curator of giant pandas and I was here all of the time, the pandas knew who I was. They recognized me or at least my voice and I could call their name and they would show an interest. But as director, I'm not with them every day. I'm not the bringer of food and love and happiness.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“At first, I was essentially curator of mammals and curator of giant pandas. And then after a few years, I became the head of animal care. So I saw all of the animals, the veterinarians, nutrition, records, behavior, all of the departments. And then eventually I became deputy director. And then a few years later, I became director.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Yeah, there was an opening for a general curator. It was more of a curator of mammals, and it was also the curator of giant pandas. And so my story actually came full circle because when I got the job here and I was in charge of the giant pandas, my mother was so proud.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“As part of the loan program started at roughly the same time, so a lot of the pandas were kind of moving through in cohorts. And so a lot of zoos in the past two or three years, their pandas were older and returned to China. And so right now only the National Zoo and the San Diego Zoo have giant pandas.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“There were about 2,500 licensed animal exhibitors in the United States. But then there's also an accrediting program by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. And I think under 250 zoos are accredited. So less than 10% of zoos in the country are accredited. And those are the best of the best.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, actually, I had a job. I was the head of conservation and science for an organization called the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. So we set kind of conservation goals for accredited zoos across the country. It's an office. It's an association. And I just really missed, I missed being in a zoo. I missed the animals. We create magic for people on a daily basis. And I missed being part of that.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I always tell people I never made a smart career choice in my life. So I always just kind of followed my heart. And I did an internship with the zoo. The thing I love about zoos is not just that they educate and inspire people, but they are unique conservation organizations. They're species that exist on the planet today because of zoos, because we care for animals and can breathe them. Black-footed ferret, Panamanian Golden Frog, Simitar horned Oryx, California Condor, the list goes on. And so I was really fascinated with the idea of genetically managing how we manage these species genetically so that they're saved for the wild. I got a master's degree in zoology that focused on genetic management. Then I got a job in another zoo. I did more internships. I got my PhD and eventually I ended up here.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I was going to intern a zookeeper. What did you say? Well, we were driving at the time, so one is she almost drove the car off the road, but the other it was the first time I ever heard my mother swear. And she said, she's like, at least do something respectable with your life. Be a lawyer”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“So I actually was a young girl interested in science, you know, in the middle of nowhere in Pennsylvania. And I thought that if you wanted to be a scientist, that meant you were a doctor. And I thought that was my only career path. And I actually got my undergraduate degree is in biology. And I thought about it and I thought, this isn't what I want to do. I want to work with animals. So I was about to start an internship with an ophthalmologist. And I called the Pittsburgh Zoo. And I just said, I want to do what you do. Tell me, how did you get this job? And because this was back in the day, the guy said, he said, actually, I'm on my way to interview for a summer intern. And I'll interview you right now. And if you do well, I'll hire you. And so I got the job and I went home and I told my mother that instead of doing an internship with the doctor,”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I didn't have pandas, so stuffed animals. And our neighbors had cows, so I'd always go over and feed the cows and see my friends who worked who lived on farms.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“In Indiana, Pennsylvania. It's in western Pennsylvania, small town. I had a rural delivery address, and most of my relatives are coal miners.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“So there are a lot of people who want to see giant pandas, and the thing I love the most is we are part of the Smithsonian, and so everyone, no matter how VIP you are, you can come here, you can see giant pand”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, it's actually really interesting. So, the female has a very narrow window where she is reproductively viable, but the males goes through something called rut. So it's much longer. So basically for months that could overlap multiple females estrus, the males are basically, they're looking for a mate. So they are scent marking, they're patrolling, they're covering a large territory and what they're really doing is they're both looking for a mate and they're advertising to females that they would be a great father to their cubs.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“It's a small number, but what we're also doing, and this is what I love about the Panda program, people come here, they see the pandas, they're cute, it's great, but when they contribute, when they buy a stuffed panda or a t-shirt or something, they are actually funding our conservation efforts. So not only are we breeding pandas, not only are we learning more about giant pandas, but we're saving their habitat in the wild. So in this started, there were probably just 10, about 10 small little reserves where pandas could live. There are panda reserves in China three times the size of Yellowstone. So because of this program, there are more pandas on the planet, more quality panda habitat in the wild. And pandas have gone from being endangered to being vulnerable.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“So, this is incredible because this is all due to this Panda program, and this is so important. So when we started with Giant Pandas 50 years ago, there were fewer than 1,000 pandas in the world, right? We're talking in the wild and zoos, fewer than a thousand. And decades later, there are close to 2,000 pandas in the wild now. Actually, you think a little over 1,800. There are over 700 pandas in breeding centers. So as part of this program, we have tripled the number of pandas on the planet.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“It's not really a thumb. It's a modified wrist bone that actually almost, it's a flexible wrist bone that functions almost like a thumb as they hold it. Think about as they hold on to bamboo, because bamboo is circular. So if you watch them, it looks like they're holding on. And it's part of that evolution from being, instead of investing in being a better predator, right, and being able to chase down their meat, they invested evolutionarily in being the best bamboo eater you could imagine.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“We actually grow, so we have the facility in Virginia, 3,200 acres. We do a lot of our research there. All of our labs are there for all of the conservation and science work that we do. But we also grow, we grow all of our own hay, our own alfalfa, and our bamboo as well.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“They're digesting, so they spend their time. I feel like a panda's life is eating, sleeping, and playing. So I also think we love pandas because they're living our best lives. And so it's so fun to watch them because sometimes you'll see a panda just mowing through bamboo leaves and they'll actually stop for a second. You think it almost looks like they're taking a little mini nap as they digest their bamboo before they just keep eating more.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“A lot of people don't realize this. Pandas are taxonomically, they're carnivores, and they are bears. They are true bears. And they have evolved to take advantage of a more plentiful resource. They don't have to chase down their food. It pretty much just grows up around them as they sit there. So they've evolved special adaptations to be able to consume bamboo as quickly as possible. But what it lacks in quality, they make up for in quantity. So the pandas here at the National Zoo, we feed each panda 100 pounds of freshly cut bamboo every single day.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“So that's just the area. They are indigenous to kind of the cool mountain forests in China. So that's the habitat that sustains them the best. And pandas actually they're obligate bamboo eaters. If they don't eat bamboo, they'll get sick. So they're very heavily dependent upon having the appropriate habitat”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“You know, people, we call them the charismatic megafauna. People love the big animals, the pandas, elephants, lions, tigers, cheetahs. But one fact that I think is really funny, the most searched animal on our website are snakes. And so I don't know if people were searching them because they want to see them or if they're searching them because they're afraid to see them.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I love that question because it's asked by people who care deeply about animals. And so I'll answer in two parts. And one is the emotional part about animals and zoos. And I always, you know, I think about people who have pets, right? People get pets. Most of them aren't trained to care for them. They don't know that much. They bring them to their house. They have them in their apartment, you know, go for walks every so often. But they know those animals are cared for. They know that those animals are happy. They know that they love them and they're loved back. Now imagine that, except imagine that you have experts, hundreds of experts, who are trained in the care of animals, right? People spent their entire lives caring for these animals with the best nutrition, the best veterinary medicine, habitats that are scientifically designed to meet their behavioral and biological needs. And that's animals and zoos.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“So we have two facilities. We have the zoo, which is in Washington, D.C. It's 175 acres in Rock Creek Park. And then we also have a facility called our Conservation Biology Institute. And that's 3,200 acres, and it's in Front Royal Virginia.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“Well, it was a little more difficult than that. It probably took us, it was about over the course of a year, where we had conversations with our colleagues in China, and we were able to get pandas here very quickly. I think it's a testament to the relationship we've built over decades to the conservation success that we've had here with our pandas and our panda program. And so it was a lot of conversations, but I think we always knew in the end that we did want pandas at the National Zoo.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“We received the first pandas. They were a state gift. And then there was the loan program that was to other zoos. And as part of that program, there's a conservation fee that zoos pay to China, to the Panda Breeding Centers in China. And the pandas that we have now are part of that breeding program.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“They're both three years old. The pandas are here not just because they're adorable, but they're actually part of a breeding program that's helping to save the species. And so we wanted to get the most genetically valuable animals and we narrowed it down to a few pairs. But I will say we sent a veterinarian to China just to check the records of the different animals. And we did ask them to pick the cutest pair.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source
“I think there are a lot of reasons. I think, first of all, they're cute, they're adorable. People just want to see them. And the thing I love about pandas is the way that they're built, it actually, we are genetically designed to love pandas. They have these round features, the round ears, the round eyes, these cute voices. And what we ping when we see a baby is the same thing that pings when we see a panda. And so we're designed to think they're adorable. But they're rare. So I think it's a matter of having the opportunity to see them. You take the opportunity when you can. And, you know, pandas are a story of joy. They're a story of hope and of happiness and success. It's a successful program that everyone is a part of.”
2025-02-06 · The David Rubenstein Show · Brandie Smith · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source