Giant Panda Cub Xiao Qi Ji Media Resources
Included below are comprehensive resources for media on the giant panda cub.
Media inquiries only: ZooSCBICommunications@si.edu
Cub Updates
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo provides updates on giant panda Mei Xiang and her cub through the Giant Panda Bulletin e-newsletter. Use the slider below to view all giant panda cub updates since the cub's birth Aug. 21, beginning with the most recent update.
Videos
Media (news) outlets may use giant panda cub photos/videos for news purposes only with credit to Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Approved purposes include: print/online articles, broadcast reports and social media feeds. Below is a YouTube playlist of giant panda video content.
Press Releases
To be added to our media list, email ZooSCBIcommunications@si.edu.
- March 17, 2022 | Celebrating 50 Years of Giant Pandas at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
- Dec. 7, 2020 | Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Extends Giant Panda Agreement
- Nov. 23, 2020 | His Name is Xiao Qi Ji
- Nov. 16, 2020 | Public Can Vote to Name Smithsonian's National Zoo Giant Panda Cub
- Oct. 5, 2020 | It’s a Boy! Smithsonian's National Zoo's Giant Panda Cub Is Male
- Aug. 21, 2020 | Giant Panda Cub Born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
- Aug. 14, 2020 | Veterinarians Find Fetal Tissue on Giant Panda Ultrasound
Background and FAQs
Quick Facts
- Date of birth: Aug. 21, 2020
- Sex: Male
- Current weight: 117 pounds (as of March 10, 2022)
Xiao Qi Ji's Milestones
Updated Aug. 2, 2021
- Aug. 21: Born to mother Mei Xiang and father Tian Tian
- Sept. 3: Black markings on his legs, ears, and back begin to appear (2 weeks)
- Sept. 13: First exam conducted by the Giant Panda Team (3 weeks)
- Sept. 19: First veterinary exam and vaccination (4 weeks)
- Oct. 2: First attempt at crawling (6 weeks)
- Oct. 5: Sex reveal - it’s a boy! (6 weeks)
- Oct. 14: Eyes and ears are fully open (7 weeks)
- Oct. 19: First trip out of the den (8 weeks)
- Oct. 21: The cub is as round as he is long at 16.5 inches (8 weeks)
- Oct. 31: First enrichment item received, a pumpkin for Halloween (10 weeks)
- Nov. 9: Incisors erupt at the gumline (11 weeks)
- Nov. 23: Receives his name following a public vote - Xiao Qi Ji, which means “Little Miracle” in Mandarin Chinese (13 weeks)
- Nov. 25: First trip on the outdoor patio and first glimpse of his father (13 weeks)
- Nov. 26: First steps (13 weeks)
- Dec. 7: Begins to mouth some bamboo (15 weeks)
- Late December 2020: Begins climbing rockwork (~17 weeks)
- Early January 2021: Shows interest in toys (~18 weeks)
- Jan. 21: First solid food - sweet potato (5 months)
- Jan. 27: Eats bamboo for the first time (22 weeks)
- Jan. 31: First encounter with snow (23 weeks)
- Feb. 8: Eats a leaf-eater biscuit for the first time (24 weeks)
- Feb. 16: First time in the outdoor habitat (25 weeks)
- Feb. 21: First taste of applesauce (26 weeks)
- March 1: First taste of banana (27 weeks)
- March 12: Explore the moat (area filled with greenery in the front of the habitat) with Mei Xiang (29 weeks)
- March 22: First taste of apple and pear (30 weeks)
- Week of April 26: First taste of diluted honey water (36 weeks)
- May 21: Public debut (9 months)
- Week of May 24: Voluntarily stepped on large scale (40 weeks)
- May 2021: First cub-sized fruitsicle
- June 2021: Learned and mastered behavior "stand up"
- September 2021: Began losing his deciduous (baby) teeth
- October 2021: Received his own puzzle feeder for the first time
How to Support
Make a Gift
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Panda Products
Calling all panda fans and budding biologists! Expand your knowledge of these beloved black-and-white bears with fun and educational books from Smithsonian Enterprises! Proceeds from these products support the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s conservation research and help refurbish animals' habitats.
- "Xiao Qi Ji" Bookends | Keep sweet cub Xiao Qi Ji close with panda bookends made in his likeness.
- “Bei Bei Goes Home” Book | Follow the remarkable story of giant panda Bei Bei as he grows, plays and explores at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and beyond.
- "I Am A Panda" Book | Wiggle a finger puppet and follow a day in the life of a giant panda. (Ages 0-3)
- "Panda" Book | Learn about giant pandas’ habitat, favorite foods and caring for cubs. (Ages 0-3)
- "Welcome, Bao Bao" Book | This photo- and fact-filled book introduces kids to giant panda cub Bao Bao’s world! (Ages 8+)
- "The Animal Book" | Journey around the world with curious creatures, from waddling penguins to leaping frogs. (Ages 8+)
- "Smithsonian Zoology: Inside the Secret World of Animals" Book | Dramatic photography illuminates the fascinating stories behind animal adaptations. (All ages)
Photo/Video Use
May we have permission to republish giant panda cub photos/videos provided by the Zoo?
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Media (news) outlets may use the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s giant panda cub photos/videos for news purposes only with credit to Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Approved purposes include: print/online articles, broadcast reports and social media feeds.
I am making a documentary about giant pandas. May I use the Zoo’s photos/videos?
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Filmmakers that wish to use giant panda cub photos/videos in a documentary must receive approval from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and the Smithsonian Film Committee. There may be a licensing fee associated with this request. Fill out the Filming Request Form here.
May we stream the Giant Panda Cam live on our website/social media/etc?
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The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Giant Panda Cam may not be streamed live on any non-Smithsonian website or social media platform. The Giant Panda Cam is copywritten to the Smithsonian Institution and does not fall under the Smithsonian’s Open Access policy. Media/Individuals that intend to share the Giant Panda Cam with their audiences must direct them to nationalzoo.si.edu with credit to Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
Download Photos
Below are high-resolution photos available to download for media purposes. They are listed in reverse chronological order. For individual photo captions, see slideshow at the top of the page.
Image Gallery
Oct. 20, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji now receives his own diet twice a day!
Sept. 30, 2021: Although Xiao Qi Ji nurses for comfort from time to time, the majority of his diet is made up of bamboo, fruit and high fiber biscuits. He receives his own diet twice a day.
Aug. 21, 2021: Xiao Qi Ji plays on a climbing structure in his outdoor habitat during his first birthday celebration.
Aug. 21, 2021: Xiao Qi Ji plays on a climbing structure in his outdoor habitat during his first birthday celebration.
Aug. 21, 2021: Xiao Qi Ji plays on a climbing structure in his outdoor habitat during his first birthday celebration.
Aug. 16, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rests on the rockwork of his indoor habitat.
Aug. 16, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji eats browse (leafy branches) in his indoor habitat.
July 28, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji eats an apple in his indoor habitat.
July 25, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji enjoys a refreshing fruitsicle treat made of frozen diluted apple juice.
May 20, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji follows a training target (ball on the end of a dowel) held by assistant curator Laurie Thompson.
May 20, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji follows a training target (ball on the end of a dowel) held by assistant curator Laurie Thompson.
May 18, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes a bite of bamboo in his indoor habitat.
May 18, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji plays with a stalk of bamboo in his indoor habitat.
April 24, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rests in the grass of his outdoor habitat.
April 12, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji climbs a tree in his outdoor habitat.
March 9, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji stands in a hammock in his outdoor habitat.
March 9, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rests in a hammock in his outdoor habitat.
March 9, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji climbs up the climbing structure in his outdoor habitat.
March 9, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji stands in a hammock in his outdoor habitat.
Feb. 24, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes in the view from his climbing structure.
Feb. 24, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji hides in the tall grass.
Feb. 24, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji ascends to the top of the climbing structure in his outdoor habitat.
Feb. 24, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes in the view from his climbing structure.
Feb. 16: During his first trip out into the yard, Xiao Qi Ji walked along the wall of the panda house, sniffed the doors and gates and took in all the new sights and smells.
Feb. 16: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji explores his outdoor habitat for the first time, just a few days shy of turning 6 months old.
Feb. 10, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji licks cooked sweet potato off his enrichment toy.
Feb. 10, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji licks cooked sweet potato off his enrichment toy.
Feb. 10, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda Xiao Qi Ji crawls over mother Mei Xiang's bamboo.
Feb. 8, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji nibbles on his first biscuit. Keepers say he has a hearty appetite!
Jan. 31, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji had his first encounter with snow! Keepers say although he seemed nervous at first, eventually he worked up the courage to take a little nip at the fresh powder.
Jan. 27, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji is trying new foods, including bamboo, cooked sweet potato and nutrient-fortified biscuits.
Jan. 27, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji had his first taste of bamboo this week!
Jan. 27, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji had his first taste of bamboo this week!
Jan. 21, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes his first taste of cooked sweet potato.
Jan. 21, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes his first taste of cooked sweet potato.
Jan. 21, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes his first taste of cooked sweet potato.
Jan. 6, 2021: Now that he has mastered walking, Xiao Qi Ji has started to practice his climbing skills. He is very deliberate about the paths he takes when traveling up or down the rockwork.
Jan. 6, 2021: Now that he has mastered walking, Xiao Qi Ji has started to practice his climbing skills. He is very deliberate about the paths he takes when traveling up or down the rockwork.
Jan. 6, 2021: With giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji becoming more aware of and interested in his surroundings, keepers gave him enrichment items to investigate, a small red Jolly Egg (perfectly sized for a panda cub) and an empty PVC puzzle feeder. He paws at his toys, picks them up and gives them a nibble.
Jan. 6, 2021: Now that Xiao Qi Ji is more mobile, the panda team weighs our cub in a tub. He sits patiently for a moment or two, then starts climbing out, eager to explore again. Our “little” cub is growing larger by the day and weighed 18.4 pounds (8.39 kilograms) as of Jan. 6.
Jan. 6, 2021: With giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji becoming more aware of and interested in his surroundings, keepers gave him enrichment items to investigate, a small red Jolly Egg (perfectly sized for a panda cub) and an empty PVC puzzle feeder. He paws at his toys, picks them up and gives them a nibble.
Jan. 6, 2021: Personality-wise, Xiao Qi Ji seems to take after his mother. Like Mei Xiang, he is careful and cautious when it comes to exploring his environment.
Jan. 6, 2021: With giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji becoming more aware of and interested in his surroundings, keepers gave him enrichment items to investigate, a small red Jolly Egg (perfectly sized for a panda cub) and an empty PVC puzzle feeder. He paws at his toys, picks them up and gives them a nibble.
Dec. 9, 2020: Dr. Don Neiffer listens to Xiao Qi Ji's heart and lungs while veterinary technician Brad Dixon holds the giant panda cub.
Dec. 9, 2020: Chief veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer examines 3.5-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji.
Dec. 9, 2020: Veterinary technician Brad Dixon and chief veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer weigh giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji. He weighed 13.4 pounds (6.1 kilograms).
Dec. 9, 2020: Dr. Don Neiffer examines giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji's eyes while veterinary technician Brad Dixon holds him steady.
Dec. 2, 2020 : On Nov. 26, Xiao Qi Ji took his first steps at 3 months and 5 days old,
Dec. 2, 2020: Xiao Qi Ji is making good gains and weighed 12.4 pounds (5.66 kilograms) on Wednesday. From the tip of his nose to the base of his tail, he measured 25.6 inches (65 centimeters). He has also put over an inch on his midsection since his last veterinary exam Nov. 18. Back then, he measured 18.1 inches around his abdomen. Now, he measures 19.2 inches (49 centimeters).
Dec. 2, 2020: Our giant panda team took some quick measurements to track Xiao Qi Ji’s growth. During the exam, he was bright-eyed and eager to practice his crawling and walking skills on the tabletop.
Nov. 23, 2020: After five days and just under 135,000 votes cast, we are thrilled to share that our 3-month-old giant panda cub’s name is Xiao Qi Ji!
Nov. 18, 2020: The Smithsonian's National Zoo's giant panda cub tipped the scales at 10.4 pounds (4.72 kilograms). From the tip of his nose to the base of his tail, he measured 22 inches long (56 centimeters). His abdominal girth measured 18.1 inches (46 centimeters).
Nov. 18, 2020: The Smithsonian's National Zoo's giant panda cub received a clean bill of health from Zoo veterinarians during his third veterinary exam. They listened to his heart and lungs, checked his eyes and mouth, and tested the range of motion in his limbs. The cub also received his second canine distemper vaccine.
Nov. 9, 2020: Our giant panda cub weighed 9.2 pounds (4.21 kilograms). From the tip of his nose to the base of his tail, he measured 21.2 inches long (42 centimeters). His abdominal girth measured 18.8 inches.
Nov. 9, 2020: As he approaches turning three months old Nov. 21, his upper incisors are starting to erupt at the gumline.
Nov. 4, 2020: Throughout the exam Nov. 4, our giant panda cub was mostly quiet and sleepy. He weighed 8.4 pounds and measured 20.4 inches long from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail. His abdominal girth measured 18.5 inches.
Nov. 4, 2020: Throughout the exam Nov. 4, our giant panda cub was mostly quiet and sleepy. He weighed 8.4 pounds and measured 20.4 inches long from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail. His abdominal girth measured 18.5 inches.
Nov. 4, 2020: Throughout the exam Nov. 4, our giant panda cub was mostly quiet and sleepy. He weighed 8.4 pounds and measured 20.4 inches long from the tip of his nose to the base of his tail. His abdominal girth measured 18.5 inches.
Nov. 4, 2020: Mei Xiang’s appetite has returned to normal. Both she and Tian Tian receive about 70 pounds of bamboo throughout the day and evening. She also receives leaf-eater biscuits, carrots, apples and cooked sweet potatoes.
Nov. 4, 2020: Mei Xiang’s appetite has returned to normal. Both she and Tian Tian receive about 70 pounds of bamboo throughout the day and evening. She also receives leaf-eater biscuits, carrots, apples and cooked sweet potatoes.
Oct. 31, 2020: The Zoo's 10-week-old giant panda cub received a pumpkin as enrichment for Halloween. Many of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s animals receive pumpkins as a fun enrichment item on Halloween because it gives them something new to smell, touch and investigate.
Oct. 31, 2020: The Zoo's 10-week-old giant panda cub received a pumpkin as enrichment for Halloween. Many of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s animals receive pumpkins as a fun enrichment item on Halloween because it gives them something new to smell, touch and investigate.
Oct. 21, 2020: The plump 2-month-old giant panda was officially as round as he was long. From the tip of his nose to the base of his tail, he measured 16.5 inches. His abdominal girth measured 16.5 inches as well.
Oct. 21, 2020: The 2-month-old giant panda cub’s weight increased from 5.4 pounds to 6.5 pounds.
Oct. 21, 2020: The 2-month-old giant panda cub was quite a wiggle worm while animal care staff were taking his measurements!
Oct. 14, 2020: The 7-week-old giant panda cub was much more feisty than he has been for past exams and barked as he was being measured. His eyes and ears were fully open.
Oct. 14, 2020: The 7-week-old giant panda cub tipped the scales at 5.4 pounds. From the tip of his nose to the base of his tail, he measured 16.5 inches.
Oct. 14, 2020: The 7-week-old giant panda cub’s biggest gain, however, was around his midsection; his abdominal girth increased to 15.9 inches!
Oct. 7, 2020: During the 6-week-old giant panda cub’s weekly exam, he weighed 4.5 pounds and measured 15 inches from nose to tail tip. His abdominal girth measured 13.7 inches. His eyes were beginning to open.
Oct. 5, 2020: The Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s 6-week-old giant panda cub is a male, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute scientists confirmed. A painting created by male giant panda Tian Tian, the cub’s father, was used to reveal the sex of the cub to giant panda keepers and fans online.
Sept. 25, 2020: The 5-week-old giant panda cub napped through much of its weekly exam. The cub weighed 1,337 grams, or just under 3 pounds.
Sept. 25, 2020: From nose to tail tip, the 5-week-old giant panda cub measured 13.9 inches (its tail accounted for two of those inches). The cub’s abdominal girth measured 12.5 inches.
Sept. 19, 2020: From nose to tail tip, the 4-week-old giant panda cub measured 13.4 inches (its tail accounted for two of those inches). Zoo veterinarian Dr. James Steeil noted that the cub’s eyes were closed, but the left eye was not closed as tightly.
Sept. 19, 2020: Zoo veterinarian Dr. James Steeil examined the 4-week-old giant panda cub. It weighed 952 grams, or just over two pounds. The cub appeared to be healthy and strong.
Sept. 17, 2020: At 4 weeks old, the cub was quite visible on the Giant Panda Cam, especially when it was nursing or being groomed by mother Mei Xiang.
Sept. 13, 2020: The panda team retrieved the 3-week-old cub for its first neonatal exam. It tipped the scales at 634.8 grams — just under 1.5 pounds!
Sept. 3, 2020: At almost two weeks old, the cub’s iconic black markings around its eyes and on its ears, legs and saddle (back) were visible.
Aug. 31, 2020: In the cub’s first few days, Mei Xiang kept it mostly hidden, tucked beneath her armpit or between her forearms.
Aug. 25, 2020: In the early evening, Mei Xiang placed the cub on the floor of her den for just a few seconds, giving all of those watching the Panda Cam a fantastic view of her growing cub.
Aug. 21, 2020: Mei Xiang gave birth to a healthy cub at 6:35 p.m.
