San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance won top honors at the 136th annual Rose Parade Presented by Honda with a float celebrating the historic arrival of giant pandas. For the second consecutive year, the Alliance received the Sweepstakes Trophy given for the most beautiful entry, encompassing float design, floral presentation, and entertainment. 

"Friendship Across the Earth," transported viewers across the Asia's magnificent ecosystems and honored Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, the first giant pandas to be welcomed to the United States in 21 years. Giant pandas bring the world together. They have an extraordinary ability to connect and unite us, creating Friendship Across The Earth. Their soulful faces, cherished spirit, and iconic presence celebrate the best of nature—offering a universal hope in our ever-changing world.

Every day, countless guests from around the globe experience their best day ever at the San Diego Zoo. Here, the transformative power of conservation comes to life as generations encounter once-in-a-lifetime moments with nature that transcend time and humanity. Our planet is a kaleidoscope of color, and each of us—wildlife and people—are pivotal to the vibrant tapestry of our global mosaic.

Traversing the dramatic ridgeline at the center of the float are giant pandas Xin Bao and Yun Chuan. Surrounded by a bounty of bamboo, Xin Bao, whose name means “precious treasure of prosperity and abundance,” gently turns her head as she listens intently with her big ears to the lyrics of “Best Day Ever,” and looks ahead to the new year filled with endless prosperity.

Next to her, Yun Chuan, which means “big river of cloud,” delicately savors supple bamboo shoots. Named in honor of his grandmother, one of the first pandas at the San Diego Zoo, he celebrates a generational legacy between San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and our conservation partners, who achieved one of the greatest successes of all time—the rescue and recovery of giant pandas. Over the past 30 years, this remarkable collaboration has built bridges of hope for wildlife, people, and the planet we all share. And this storied friendship has reimagined what’s truly possible when we come together with a shared purpose, commitment, and trust in one another.

Against a grove of ancient trees, the striking orange stripes of Connor the tiger spark curiosity. As the sunshine of a new day cuts through tall grasses, his tail sways through swirling tropical mist. With his piercing gaze and enchanting regal reverence, a nose-to-nose encounter with Connor at the San Diego Zoo is a larger-than-life experience. These intimate opportunities connect hearts to the bravery and strength found through conservation as San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance works worldwide to save this critically endangered species and the vanishing rainforests they call home.

Swinging high above cascading waterfalls, red pandas Lucas and Adira frolic among the treetops. This fluffy-tailed, cinnamon-colored duo makes lifelong friends with every guest who visits the San Diego Zoo. Their zany antics make them global fan favorites, and their agile acrobatics remind us of the delicate role we all have in protecting and caring for the charismatic wildlife relying on us to thrive.

Atop the 55-foot float and its 25-foot ridgeline, we get a glimpse at the vivacious landscapes and more than 700,000 individual plants that are cared for by horticulturists at the San Diego Zoo. More than 3,100 diverse plant species are part of this accredited botanical garden and arboretum and are vital to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s ongoing conservation efforts worldwide. Individual plants meticulously grown and delicately propagated at the San Diego Zoo—including yellow groove, golden, and black bamboo—were transported to Pasadena and added to the float, bringing this botanical dream to life.

Branches of a fragrant cherry blossom tree stretch out far and wide as its delicate petals reach for the open blue sky. Riding underneath are San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance team members Dr. Megan Owen, Jana Biedenweg, and Dr. Xiaoxing Bian. A global conservation leader, a wildlife expert, and a scientist—while each had their own individual journeys and dreams, their friendship blossomed out of a shared love for giant pandas, and today, their impact spans the Earth.

They are joined by the next generation of world changers, immersed in life-changing moments and having their best day ever at the San Diego Zoo. And as each pink cherry blossom petal flutters down the parade route, the heartbeats of a billion wildlife allies across the globe join Xin Bao and Yun Chuan in this historic moment—creating a ripple effect of infinite hope and celebrating Friendship Across the Earth.