Giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, and their cubs Xiao Qi Ji, Bei Bei, Bao Bao and Tai Shan, have brought joy to millions and created a living legacy of fans that spans multiple generations and countries. What’s more, they have made an immense impact on the care and conservation of giant pandas in human care and in the wild.
Update: Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji have departed from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and are now living in China. Thank you for supporting our decades-long panda program, and we look forward to collaborating with our Chinese colleagues to secure a healthy future for this remarkable species.
Join the Cele-bear-ation
Discover the series of special events happening on-site at the Zoo and online this fall. Plan your visit and reserve a free entry pass.
Panda Palooza is sponsored in part by The Boeing Company and entertainment by Events DC.
How Much Do You Know About the Zoo’s Pandas?
Legacy of Care and Conservation
Ever since these charismatic bears arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in 1972, animal care staff and scientists have studied giant panda biology, behavior, breeding, reproduction and disease.
Through the study and care of Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their surviving cubs, the Zoo team and colleagues have made groundbreaking advances in reproductive science, healthcare, disease treatment and exponentially increased the understanding of panda behavior, biology and the mother-cub relationship.
After more than 25 years on the endangered species list, the International Union for Conservation of Nature announced the giant panda was downgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable” on the global list of species at risk of extinction.
The Zoo’s giant panda team has spent 51 years working with colleagues in China to advance conservation efforts for giant pandas in human care and in the wild. These collaborative efforts with Chinese partners directly contributed to this momentous conservation milestone. The Zoo remains committed to continuing its efforts to secure and safeguard a healthy future for giant pandas and their habitat.
Giant Panda Cam
From births and first steps to munching bamboo and playtime in the snow, the Zoo’s Giant Panda Cam, sponsored by Boeing, connects people across the globe to our giant pandas, helping inspire millions to care about the future of this majestic and charming species and its native habitat. Since its launch in 2011, the Giant Panda Cam has 100M+ pageviews.
Check out some of the best moments from the Giant Panda Cam.
Meet the Pandas
Tian Tian (pronounced “t-YEN t-YEN”), age 26
| Birthday | Born Aug. 27, 1997, at the giant panda breeding center in Wolong, China |
Name origin | Means “more and more” in Mandarin Chinese |
Favorite treat | Sugar cane |
| Weight | 271 pounds |
| Appearance | Black shoulder band pinches inward in the middle; has black “knee socks” that extend up his leg in front and to mid-leg in the back |
| Cubs | Four; Male Tai Shan (b. 2005), female Bao Bao (b. 2013), male Bei Bei (b. 2015) and male Xiao Qi Ji (b. 2020) |
| Fun facts | Tian Tian’s favorite activities include patrolling his yard, scent-marking, playing and soliciting attention from keepers while they clean and set up food and enrichment his indoor habitat. He has a fondness for playing in pools, tubs and hose spray! |
Mei Xiang (pronounced “may-SHONG”), age 25
| Birthday | Born July 22, 1998 at the giant panda breeding center in Wolong, China |
Name origin | Means “beautiful fragrance” in Mandarin Chinese |
Favorite treat | Pears |
| Weight | 246 pounds |
| Appearance | Eye patches are oval; black shoulder band is wider in the middle, compared to Tian Tian’s |
| Cubs | Four; Male Tai Shan (b. 2005), female Bao Bao (b. 2013), male Bei Bei (b. 2015) and male Xiao Qi Ji (b. 2020) |
| Fun facts | With the birth of Xiao Qi Ji at 22 years old, Mei Xiang is the oldest giant panda to give birth in the United States and the second oldest documented in the world. Keepers describe Mei Xiang as a tremendous, dedicated and devoted mother to all four cubs. Her personality is a mix of curious, cautious and careful! |
Xiao Qi Ji (pronounced “SHIAU-chi-ji”), age 3
| Birthday | Born Aug. 21, 2020 at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C. |
Name origin | Means “little miracle” in Mandarin Chinese |
Favorite treat | Honey |
| Weight | About 200 pounds |
| Fun facts | Over 639,000 people tuned in to the Giant Panda Cam in the height of the pandemic to watch his birth; 135,000 people voted online to name him “Little Miracle.” Keepers describe his personality as smart, observant, inquisitive and goofy. Like his father, Tian Tian, Xiao Qi Ji likes routine and can be somewhat impatient if things are out of the ordinary. But overall, his personality is more like Mei Xiang’s—a mix of sweet and sassy! |
FAQ About the Departure
Why are the pandas leaving?
- +The Zoo entered into its Giant Panda Cooperative Research and Breeding Agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) in December 2000 when giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian arrived at the Zoo. The initial agreement between the Zoo and CWCA was a 10-year agreement; it has been renewed three times since 2010. As part of the terms of the agreement, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, will return to China before the end of the agreement on Dec. 7, 2023.
When can I come say goodbye? When will they leave?
- +Guests of all ages are invited to bid farewell to Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji at the Panda Palooza celebration. From Sept. 23 to Oct. 1, the Zoo will host in-person and online events honoring the bears’ legacy as animal ambassadors and status as beloved Washington, D.C. icons. All three pandas will go to China by the end of their agreement on Dec. 7, 2023.
Will the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute get pandas again?
- +Ever since these charismatic bears arrived at the Zoo in 1972, animal care staff and scientists have worked closely with Chinese colleagues to study giant panda biology, behavior, breeding, reproduction and disease. The Zoo celebrated the 50th anniversary of its giant panda program in 2022 and hopes to continue this work in the future.
Will the Giant Panda Cam be shut off when the pandas leave?
- +Yes. When the giant pandas depart the Zoo for China, the Zoo’s Giant Panda Cam, currently sponsored by Boeing, will go offline.
Show Your Support
Make a gift to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in honor of Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Xiao Qi Ji.
Or, consider becoming a Zoo member! When you pledge your support, you'll receive exclusive benefits like special opportunities to meet our Zoo residents, discounts at our stores and more.
