Daniela Berson
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) The pandas at the National Zoo are in good hands for the next five years.

Local philanthropist David Rubenstein donated $4.5 million to the zoo’s panda breeding program this week.

National Zoo Director Dennis Kelly said that the donation will be used for researching, loaning agreements and upgrading the panda habitat.

“Conservation is important but it’s also difficult and expensive,” Kelly said.

“To save the giant panda and the all the other species that live in the same habitat is an important undertaking.”

Rubenstein is a regent of the Smithsonian, who is constantly contributing to the upkeep of the panda habitat.

The panda exhibit already bears his name after a similar donation in 2011.

Copyright 2015 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (Photo: National Zoo)