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Latest Panda News

Giant panda Mei Xiang rests on a log in her outdoor habitat.
Sep. 18, 2023
Presentation of panda-friendly fruitsicle cakes to beloved giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji in celebration of Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell event. 
Three cartoon pandas in a tree on a green backdrop. The words Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell appear next to them.
Sep. 06, 2023
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) will celebrate its three giant pandas before the bears depart for China later this year. Visitors are invited to join the Pand... read more
Tian Tian relaxes in the shade at the giant panda habitat.
Aug. 27, 2023
Asia Trail keepers celebrated giant panda Tian Tian’s 26th birthday with a special panda-friendly fruitsicle cake.
Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji eats his third birthday cake.
Aug. 21, 2023
This morning, Asia Trail keepers celebrated giant panda Xiao Qi Ji’s third birthday at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. 
Giant Panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sticks his nose in his 2nd birthday ice cake on the rock formation in the front of an outdoor yard. The cake has a red 2 on the front and various colors on the side. Bamboo sticks out the top and back of the ice cake.
Aug. 14, 2023
The Smithsonian's National Zoo will celebrate "miracle cub" Xiao Qi Ji's 3rd birthday on Monday, Aug. 21.
Giant panda Mei Xiang rests on a log in her outdoor habitat.
Jul. 31, 2023
Why is giant panda Mei Xiang sleeping for longer periods, eating less and denning? After going into estrus this spring, months later, she's experiencing a pseudopregnancy—even though she did not breed... read more
A female giant panda in a grassy enclosure investigates a fruitsicle cake shaped in the number 25.
Jul. 22, 2023
Asia Trail keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., celebrated giant panda Mei Xiang’s 25th birthday.
Giant panda Tian Tian eats a cake-shaped fruitsicle for his birthday.
Jul. 17, 2023
Whether you’re a human or a giant panda, nothing beats a frozen treat on a hot summer day! Learn how to eat like a panda with this refreshing recipe.
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sits and eats bamboo while leaning with his back against a tree.
May. 22, 2023
How do you train a panda to voluntarily participate in blood draws and other medical exams? By building the bears’ trust and rewarding their participation with treats!
Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji eats bamboo in his outdoor habitat.
Mar. 01, 2023
Xiao QI Ji is stepping out on his own! Our 2.5-year-old giant panda has been playing, eating and sleeping by himself lately—behaviors that indicate he’s ready for independence. 
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rolls down the hill in his outdoor habitat on Jan. 19, 2023.
Jan. 26, 2023
The winter winds may blow chilly and cold, but they also bring out the sillies in our giant panda cub. The frisky 2.5-year-old tumbled around his outdoor habitat and showed off his unique somersault s... read more
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji snacks on a piece of sugar cane outside the Panda House.
Dec. 20, 2022
Recently, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji has been exploring his new habitat with his mother, Mei Xiang, by his side. Get the latest update from keeper Mariel Lally. 
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji eats a bamboo shoot on the patio of his exhibit in May 2022.
Nov. 25, 2022
Last month, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji hit a big milestone—he successfully participated in an awake blood draw! Get the latest #PandaStory update from assistant curator Laurie Thompson. 
Giant Panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sticks his nose in his 2nd birthday ice cake on the rock formation in the front of an outdoor yard. The cake has a red 2 on the front and various colors on the side. Bamboo sticks out the top and back of the ice cake.
Sep. 09, 2022
Who’s black, white and ready to paw-ty? As part of the Pandaversary celebration, Asia Trail keepers threw a bearthday fête fit for our beloved giant panda family.
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji approaches an ice cake with a giant red 2 in front and bamboo coming out the back. The cake is sitting in the outdoor yard on a rock formation. Xiao Qi Ji's nose is inches away from the cake. There are decorated boxes behind him
Aug. 21, 2022
This morning, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute celebrated giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji’s second birthday.
Two pandas eating sitting on a rock formation eat an ice cake with bamboo and the number 50.
Aug. 16, 2022
The Zoo’s giant panda cub, Xiao Qi Ji, will celebrate his second birthday Aug. 21 with a specially tailored fruitsicle cake.
Two pandas eating sitting on a rock formation eat an ice cake with bamboo and the number 50.
Apr. 26, 2022
In April, the commissary team was busy creating colorful ice cakes for giant pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji in celebration of the 50th anniversary of giant pandas at the Zoo.
Two pandas eating sitting on a rock formation eat an ice cake with bamboo and the number 50.
Apr. 16, 2022
To commemorate 50 years of unprecedented achievement in the care, conservation, breeding and study of giant pandas, the Smithsonian's National Zoo’s in-residence giant panda family—Tian Tian, Mei Xian... read more
Apr. 11, 2022
Presentation of panda-friendly fruitsicle cakes to giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji, his mother Mei Xiang and father Tian Tian. 
Bei Bei in the Sun
Apr. 01, 2022
To celebrate 50 years of giant panda care, collaboration and conservation, we’ve curated a collection of cute Giant Panda Cam moments from the past decade that connected viewers with nature, sparked p... read more
Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji looking up at the viewer.
Mar. 31, 2022
On April 16, the giant panda team will celebrate an enormous milestone—the 50th anniversary of our giant panda program! For giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji, another important milestone is approaching: wean... read more
panda 50th desktop version
Mar. 16, 2022
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute will celebrate 50 years of unprecedented achievement in the care, conservation, breeding and study of giant pandas April 16. Today is... read more
Bao Bao
Mar. 15, 2022
Enjoy these 50 facts about giant pandas in honor of the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Giant Panda 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji hanging upside down from his outdoor play structure.
Feb. 25, 2022
Earlier this week, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji went treasure hunting in a tree for some fun puzzle feeder enrichment! Get the latest #PandaStory update from assistant curator Laurie Thompson. 
Giant pandas Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji eat sugar cane in their outdoor habitat.
Jan. 28, 2022
Snowfall fun and sugar cane snacks made January an eventful month for giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji! Get the latest #PandaStory update from assistant curator Laurie Thompson.