Giant panda News

Presentation of panda-friendly fruitsicle cakes to giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji, his mother Mei Xiang and father Tian Tian.

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 pure panda joy and broke the internet.

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: weaning.

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 National Panda Day, a fitting start for the Zoo’s six-month-long celebration for its visitors and...

Enjoy these 50 facts about giant pandas in honor of the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Giant Panda 50th Anniversary Celebration.

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.

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.

How do you measure a year of giant panda cub cuteness? Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji — the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s “little miracle” — gives all who follow his #PandaStory a reason to smile. Look back at his sweet snuggles, playful pounces and adorable adventures as we recap our favorite cub videos of...

On Dec. 17, Xiao Qi Ji took his first “panda paddle” in the pool! Get the latest #PandaStory update from assistant curator Laurie Thompson.

We rounded up the animal antics and species conservation stories that made us laugh, smile and cheer in 2021. Take a look back at some of our favorite moments caught on video.

Winter came a little early for giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji. Our Department of Nutrition Science team provided all three pandas with a pallet of ice to play in!

It seems that giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji inherited his mother Mei Xiang’s fondness for the scent of bubble bath. On an autumn day, keepers presented the pair with some suds to play in, and they went wild! Get the latest #PandaStory update from keeper Mariel Lally.

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji may have found a new favorite pastime. While keepers were cleaning the outdoor patio Sept. 16, our curious cub jumped in the hose spray and had a splashing good time!

Last Saturday, Aug. 21, was a big day for our “little miracle.” Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji celebrated his first birthday and shared not one but two delicious fruitsicle cakes with his mother, Mei Xiang.

This morning, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute celebrated giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji’s (SHIAU-chi-ji) first birthday with a specially tailored fruitsicle cake.

One year ago, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo welcomed Xiao Qi Ji—a precious giant panda born in the midst of a global pandemic. As the giant panda team prepares to celebrate his first birthday Aug. 21, take a look back at his top 12 milestones that left panda fans around the world in awe and ‘aww.’

Celebrate giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji’s birthday—and Zoo Guardians’ first anniversary—with giant panda keeper and real-life Zoo Guardian, Nicole MacCorkle!

If there was a competition to see who could balance a ball on their paws in the most adorable manner, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji would receive a perfect score!

When it comes to husbandry training, giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji is a quick learner (and a very good boy)!

How do you create a menu that is pleasing to the palates of giant pandas, flamingos and fishing cats?

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji is branching out into new places to play! Get the scoop in assistant curator Laurie Thompson’s latest #PandaStory update.

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji is very engaged with his surroundings! Soon, he will start husbandry training, enabling him to participate in his own healthcare. See more videos in keeper Mariel Lally’s #PandaStory update.

In a playful battle over bamboo, Mei Xiang is always victorious. Get the latest news on our giant panda mother and her cub, Xiao Qi Ji, in keeper Nicole MacCorkle’s #PandaStory update.

Recently, giant panda mother Mei Xiang accompanied her cub, Xiao Qi Ji, for a climb! Watch the video and see more of our curious cub’s playful adventures.

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji is exploring new sites and climbing to new heights! Get the scoop on his latest adventures in keeper Nicole MacCorkle’s #PandaStory update.