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Giant Panda Cub Xiao Qi Ji Media Resources

Nov. 02, 2020
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji eating an apple.
    Oct. 20, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji now receives his own diet twice a day!
  • Giant panda Xiao Qi Ji eats leafeater biscuits and sugar cane.
    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.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji holds onto the wooden play structure, sitting up and looking to the left
    Aug. 21, 2021: Xiao Qi Ji plays on a climbing structure in his outdoor habitat during his first birthday celebration.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji holds onto the wooden play structure, upside-down
    Aug. 21, 2021: Xiao Qi Ji plays on a climbing structure in his outdoor habitat during his first birthday celebration.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji stands on the wooden play structure, looking at the viewer.
    Aug. 21, 2021: Xiao Qi Ji plays on a climbing structure in his outdoor habitat during his first birthday celebration.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji stands on rockwork indoors with some pieces of browse (leafy branches) on nearby rocks
    Aug. 16, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rests on the rockwork of his indoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sits on rockwork indoors eating a leafy branch
    Aug. 16, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji eats browse (leafy branches) in his indoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rests on rockwork in his indoor habitat
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sits on a rock eating an apple in his indoor habitat
    July 28, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji eats an apple in his indoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji lays on his back near a rock and eats a frozen fruitsicle
    July 25, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji enjoys a refreshing fruitsicle treat made of frozen diluted apple juice.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji walks across rockwork to touch his nose to a target training tool held out by a panda keeper
    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.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji touches his nose to a "target" training tool, held by assistant curator of giant pandas 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.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji lays on his back and takes a bite of bamboo in his indoor habitat.
    May 18, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes a bite of bamboo in his indoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sits on the floor of his indoor habitat, grasping a bamboo shoot.
    May 18, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji plays with a stalk of bamboo in his indoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sitting in the grass.
    April 24, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rests in the grass of his outdoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji climbs a tree trunk with a lot of branches surrounding him
    April 12, 2021 | Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji climbs a tree in his outdoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji walks across a hammock made of recycled firehose
    March 9, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji stands in a hammock in his outdoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rests in a hammock made of recycled firehose and leans against criss-crossed logs
    March 9, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji rests in a hammock in his outdoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji walks across a log in his outdoor yard
    March 9, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji climbs up the climbing structure in his outdoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji walks across a hammock made of recycled firehose
    March 9, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji stands in a hammock in his outdoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji climbs on a structure made of crisscrossed logs in his outdoor yard
    Feb. 24, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes in the view from his climbing structure.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji laying down in the tall green in his outdoor habitat.
    Feb. 24, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji hides in the tall grass.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji climbs on a structure made of criss-crossed logs in his outdoor yard
    Feb. 24, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji ascends to the top of the climbing structure in his outdoor habitat.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji climbs outdoors on a structure made of crisscrossed logs and looks out over his yard
    Feb. 24, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes in the view from his climbing structure.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji stands on his hind legs and sniffs the stone wall of the panda house, as he explores outside for the first time.
    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.
  • Giant panda cub walks along the sidewalk of his outdoor habitat, next to the grassy yard.
    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.
  • Giant panda cub licks sweet potato off of a large, cylindrical enrichment toy.
    Feb. 10, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji licks cooked sweet potato off his enrichment toy.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sits on rockwork and holds onto a large, round "plate" covered in cooked sweet potato
    Feb. 10, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji licks cooked sweet potato off his enrichment toy.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji walks over a pile of bamboo on the rockwork in his habitat. At over 5 months old, he is still and has thick black-and-white fur and large paws.
    Feb. 10, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda Xiao Qi Ji crawls over mother Mei Xiang's bamboo.
  • 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. 8, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji nibbles on his first biscuit. Keepers say he has a hearty appetite!
  • A giant panda cub stands in an area covered in a light dusting of snow and some scattered bamboo leaves.
    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.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sits on rockwork in his indoor habitat and tastes bamboo leaves.
    Jan. 27, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji is trying new foods, including bamboo, cooked sweet potato and nutrient-fortified biscuits.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji stands on rockwork in his habitat and tastes the leaves on a piece of bamboo.
    Jan. 27, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji had his first taste of bamboo this week!
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji stands on rockwork in his habitat and tastes the leaves on a piece of bamboo.
    Jan. 27, 2021: Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji had his first taste of bamboo this week!
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sits in his indoor habitat and eats his first cooked sweet potato.
    Jan. 21, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes his first taste of cooked sweet potato.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji lays on his back and tastes his first cooked sweet potato.
    Jan. 21, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes his first taste of cooked sweet potato.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji sits in his indoor habitat and tastes cooked sweet potato.
    Jan. 21, 2021: Five-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji takes his first taste of cooked sweet potato.
  • A close-up of giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji as he rests on the rockwork in his indoor habitat. He has round ears, large paws with small claws, and black-and-white fur.
    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.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji carefully climbs on the rockwork in his indoor habitat. He has round ears, large paws with small claws, and black-and-white fur.
    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.
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and large paws climbs on rockwork in his indoor habitat and paws at a red Jolly Egg toy and empty PVC puzzle feeder.
    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.
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and large paws stands in a tub placed on top of a scale, so keepers can record his weight.
    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.
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and large paws climbs on rockwork in his indoor habitat and paws at a red Jolly Egg toy and empty PVC puzzle feeder.
    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.
  • A close-up of giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji as he climbs on rockwork in his indoor habitat. He has round ears, large paws with small claws, and black-and-white fur.
    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.
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and large paws climbs on rockwork in his indoor habitat and paws at a red Jolly Egg toy.
    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.
  • Veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer listens to giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji's heart and lungs with a stethoscope while veterinary technician Brad Dixon holds him. The 3 1/2 month old panda cub has black-and-white fur, round ears and large paws.
    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.
  • Veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer holds giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji during a veterinary exam.
    Dec. 9, 2020: Chief veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer examines 3.5-month-old giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji.
  • Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji lays on a small scale set on a table while chief veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer and veterinary technician Brad Dixon weigh him. The 3 1/2 month old panda cub has black-and-white fur, round ears and large paws.
    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).
  • Veterinarian Dr. Don Neiffer examines giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji's eyes while veterinary technician Brad Dixon holds him steady. The 3 1/2 month old panda cub has black-and-white fur, round ears and large paws.
    Dec. 9, 2020: Dr. Don Neiffer examines giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji's eyes while veterinary technician Brad Dixon holds him steady.
  • A close-up photo of a young giant panda cub's face as he rests on a towel during a routine exam. He has with black-and-white fur and round ears.
    Dec. 2, 2020 : On Nov. 26, Xiao Qi Ji took his first steps at 3 months and 5 days old,
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, small claws and round ears stands on a table inside the panda habitat during a routine exam.
    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).
  • 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. 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.
  • A giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, small claws and round ears. Text on the photo reads "Xiao Qi Ji" (the cub's name) in English and Mandarin Chinese
    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!
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and small claws sits on a table as veterinarians exam him during a routine check up.
    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).
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and small claws rests lays on a table as a veterinarian exams him with a stethoscope during a routine exam.
    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.
  • An animal keeper gently holds a young giant panda cub as it rests on a table during a routine exam. The cub has black-and-white fur, round ears and small claws.
    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.
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur lays on a table during a routine exam.
    Nov. 9, 2020: As he approaches turning three months old Nov. 21, his upper incisors are starting to erupt at the gumline.
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and small claws rests on a towel during a routine exam.
    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.
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and small claws rests on a towel while keepers take his measurements.
    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.
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and small claws rests on a scale during a routine veterinary exam.
    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.
  • Giant panda Mei Xiang eating a pile of bamboo in her indoor habitat at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.
    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.
  • Giant panda Mei Xiang eats leafeater biscuits off of a rock in her indoor habitat. A pile of bamboo for her to eat is stacked nearby.
    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.
  • A 10-week-old giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and small claws climbs onto a pumpkin.
    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.
  • A young giant panda cub with black-and-white fur, round ears and small claws rests near a pumpkin
    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.
  • A 2-month-old giant panda cub rests on a blue towel during a veterinary exam.
    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.
  • The Zoo's 2-month-old giant panda cub rests on a blue towel during a veterinary exam
    Oct. 21, 2020: The 2-month-old giant panda cub’s weight increased from 5.4 pounds to 6.5 pounds.
  • Two veterinarians exam a 2-month-old giant panda cub during a routine veterinary exam.
    Oct. 21, 2020: The 2-month-old giant panda cub was quite a wiggle worm while animal care staff were taking his measurements!
  • A small giant panda cub with a light layer of black-and-white fur, little ears and small claws rests on a yellow towel during a routine exam.
    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.
  • A 6-week-old giant panda cub with black-and-white markings, small claws and a light layer of fur rests on a yellow towel
    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.
  • A small giant panda cub with a light layer of black-and-white fur, little ears and small claws rests on a yellow towel while a veterinarian uses a measuring tape to measure its roundness
    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!
  • A male giant panda cub at about 6 weeks old rests on a yellow towel as veterinarians use a measuring tape to measure how round it is
    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.
  • Giant panda keepers Marty Dearie and Nicole MacCorkle hold a painting created by giant panda Tian Tian to reveal that the sex of the giant panda cub is male.
    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.
  • A 1-month-old giant panda cub with black-and-white markings, a thin layer of fur and small claws lays on a towel with its head resting on its paw
    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.
  • A 1-month-old giant panda cub with black-and-white markings, a thin layer of fur and small claws sits on a towel during a routine exam
    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.
  • A veterinarian measures the length of a giant panda cub with a measuring tape. At about 1-month-old, the cub has a thin layer of black-and-white fur, tiny claws and eyes just beginning to open.
    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.
  • A veterinarian examines a giant panda cub. At about 1-month-old, the cub has a thin layer of black-and-white fur, tiny claws and eyes just beginning to open.
    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.
  • A close-up from the live Panda Cam of a 3-week-old giant panda cub resting on the floor of its den
    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.
  • An animal keeper gently holds a 23-day-old giant panda cub with black-and-white markings, a thing layer of fur and its eyes still closed.
    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!
  • Giant panda Mei Xiang eats sugarcane in her den, with her newborn cub nearby, on the live Panda Cam feed
    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.
  • A close-up of giant panda Mei Xiang with her 10-day-old cub nestled under her chin from the live Panda Cam feed
    Aug. 31, 2020: In the cub’s first few days, Mei Xiang kept it mostly hidden, tucked beneath her armpit or between her forearms.
  • Giant panda Mei Xiang rests with her newborn cub tucked under her chin inside their den
    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.
  • Giant panda Mei Xiang gives birth to a cub at about 6:35 p.m. Aug 21, 2020, on the live Panda Cam feed
    Aug. 21, 2020: Mei Xiang gave birth to a healthy cub at 6:35 p.m.

Included below are comprehensive resources for media on the giant panda cub.

Jump to:

Cub Updates | Videos | Press Releases | Background and FAQs | How to Support | Panda Products | Photo/Video Use | Download Photos

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.

Background and FAQs

Quick Facts

  • Date of birth: Aug. 21, 2020
  • Sex: Male
  • Current weight: 117 pounds (as of March 10, 2022)

Download detailed backgrounder.

FAQs and Timeline

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

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Panda Products

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Photo/Video Use

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.

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.   

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.