Xiao Qi Ji the Giant Panda Finally Meets His Fans

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: May 30, 2021 12:30 am

Xiao Qi Ji the giant panda cub explores his outside enclosure at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Photo Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

The world of Xiao Qi Ji the giant panda cub was turned upside down this week as he met his fans for the first time this week. The 9 month old cub was introduced to guests as the Smithsonian’s National Zoo reopened following a closure which started in November 2020.

Despite all the fanfare the confident cub took the new arrivals in his stride. He spent his first day in the spotlight trotting around the panda house, playing with mom and resting in his favorite tree.

Xiao Qi Ji the giant panda cub explores a tree at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Photo Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

This week his weigh-ins also got a shake up. Xiao Qi Ji is now being weighed on the same large scale used to obtain the weight of mother, Mei Xiang and father, Tian Tian.

He voluntarily stepped on to the scale and received some sweet potato as a reward. While he snacked keepers could note that he now weighs 20.7kg (45lbs).

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This is one of step’s within Xiao Qi Ji’s husbandry training. He has been mastering the art of target training. This is when he touches a ball attached to a piece of dowel. This will help keepers to move him around on his own.

As a reward for participating in this training he receives a small piece of apple or sweet potato.

Xiao Qi Ji greets his fans as the zoo reopened this week.

Video Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Guests visiting the Smithsonian’s National Zoo can now see Xiao Qi Ji though the booking of a timed entry ticket to enter the zoo and Asia Trail/Panda Pass to see the giant panda family must be booked.

Learn more about Giant Pandas here – Giant Panda Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on their website – Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Xiao Qi Ji the giant panda cub explores a pile of bamboo at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Photo Credit: Smithsonian’s National Zoo