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Latest Panda News

Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji leans against rockwork in his habitat with one paw up on a cylindrical-shaped enrichment toy and nibbles on his first biscuit
Feb. 12, 2021
Enrichment toy smeared with sweet potato just might be Xiao Qi Ji’s favorite treat. This week, keepers gave our giant panda cub a new food to nibble on: biscuits!
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji stands near a light dusting of snow.
Feb. 05, 2021
Our chill giant panda cub had his first encounter with snow this week! 
Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes his first taste of cooked sweet potato Jan. 21, 2021.
Feb. 05, 2021
January was a month full of firsts for the Smithsonian's National Zoo's giant panda cub, Xiao Qi Ji. The growing bear played with his first enrichment toys, sampled his first sweet potato, took his fi... read more
A giant panda cub stands in an area covered in a light dusting of snow and some scattered bamboo leaves.
Feb. 01, 2021
As snow blanketed the Washington, D.C., region Jan. 31, 2021, the Smithsonian's National Zoo's animals woke up to a winter wonderland.
Jan. 27 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji had his first taste of bamboo this week!
Jan. 29, 2021
Our little panda cub had a big week—from his livestream debut to his first taste of bamboo!
Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes his first taste of cooked sweet potato Jan. 21, 2021.
Jan. 22, 2021
Our sweet panda cub had his first taste of sweet potato. Spoiler alert: he gobbled it up. 
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji climbs the rockwork in his habitat Jan. 14, 2021.
Jan. 15, 2021
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji’s word of the week seems to be: play! Our 4.5-month-old cub’s interest in his surroundings really took off this week.
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji with an enrichment egg on Jan. 6, 2021.
Jan. 11, 2021
Spending more time out of the den presents giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji with more opportunities to explore—and play! 
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji scales the rockwork in his habitat Jan. 6, 2021.
Jan. 08, 2021
As the calendar turns to 2021, it is human nature to reflect on the moments that sparked inspiration in an otherwise challenging year. Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji gave many who follow his milestones a... read more
A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and small claws stands on a table in the indoor panda habitat at the Smithsonian's National Zoo during a routine exam
Jan. 01, 2021
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji continues to explore and take on new challenges—like climbing up rockwork in the indoor habitat he shares with mother Mei Xiang. 
A close up photo of a cheetah cub's face with mouth open and tiny teeth showing
Dec. 28, 2020
From a litter of chirping cheetahs and the birth of a lovable giant panda cub to groundbreaking coral reef research and new strides in animal care, there were many milestones to celebrate this year.
A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and small claws stands on a table in the indoor panda habitat at the Smithsonian's National Zoo during a routine exam
Dec. 18, 2020
This week, we saw the sassy side of our almost 4-month-old giant panda cub, Xiao Qi JI, as he let out a loud and feisty bark! 
Dec. 9 | Chief veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer examines 3.5-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji.
Dec. 11, 2020
Xiao Qi Ji is on the move! While our 3.5-month old giant panda cub is still sharpening his walking skills, he appears to be eager to explore the world around him. 
Two giant pandas, a female named Mei Xiang and a male named Tian Tian, sit side by side in the snow eating bamboo
Dec. 07, 2020
Giant pandas, icons and ambassadors for the efforts to save the species in Washington, D.C., since 1972, will continue to live at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo through the end of 2023.
Three-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji on Dec. 2, 2020 at Smithsonian's National Zoo.
Dec. 04, 2020
November was an exciting month for the Zoo's giant panda cub! He received a clean bill of health during his third veterinary exam, was named "Xiao Qi Ji" by his fans around the world and took his firs... read more
Three-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji on Dec. 2, 2020 at Smithsonian's National Zoo.
Dec. 04, 2020
That’s one small step for Xiao Qi Ji, one giant leap into our hearts. Our little giant panda cub marked yet another big milestone. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, he took his very first steps! 
a giant panda cub named Xiao Qi Ji lies sleepily on a white table
Nov. 25, 2020
In their latest update, giant panda keepers Marty Dearie and Mariel Lally reflect on the “little miracle” that is Xiao Qi JI and share details about a recent field trip where the cub spotted his dad,... read more
The Smithsonian's National Zoo's 3-month-old giant panda cub (Nov. 18, 2020).
Nov. 23, 2020
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s 3-month-old giant panda cub received his name today. After five days of voting and just under 135,000 votes, the winning name is Xia... read more
The Zoo's 3-month-old giant panda cub during a vet exam Nov. 18, 2020.
Nov. 20, 2020
Big milestones are on the horizon for our giant panda cub. Tomorrow he turns 3 months old, and on Monday he’ll receive his name! (Did we mention tips the scale in double digits?) Get the update from k... read more
Giant panda cub
Nov. 16, 2020
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is asking the public to help name the male giant panda cub, now 9.2 pounds of adorable, at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda... read more
Giant panda cub on Nov. 9, 2020 during a keeper exam.
Nov. 12, 2020
Adventure time for our giant panda cub! Over the weekend, Mei Xiang brought him into their indoor habitat to practice his crawling skills while she ate bamboo. Get the update from keeper Nicole MacCor... read more
Giant panda cub at 10 weeks old.
Nov. 06, 2020
October was an exciting month for the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s giant panda cub! His eyes and ears opened, mother Mei Xiang took him on “field trips” to explore the world outside their den and he g... read more
Giant panda cub at 10 weeks old.
Nov. 05, 2020
It’s hard to believe our giant panda cub will be 11 weeks old tomorrow! Yesterday, the panda team took quickly checked our growing cub’s weight and measurements.
The Zoo's 10-week-old giant panda cub received a pumpkin as enrichment for Halloween.
Nov. 02, 2020
On Saturday, our giant panda family got into the Halloween spirit, thanks to the talented team in our Department of Nutrition Sciences. They whipped up some not-so-spooky “snack-o-lantern” treats for... read more
Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji eating an apple.
Nov. 02, 2020
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