Happy Birthday, Xiao Qi Ji! National Zoo's Panda Cub Turns 1

The youngest panda at the Smithsonian's National Zoo is now one year old.

Xiao Qi Ji celebrated his first birthday Saturday with a specially made fruitsicle cake, as did his parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian.

To see pictures and an adorable video, click here: Happy Birthday, Xiao Qi Ji! National Zoo's Panda Cub Turns 1

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PLUMP AND FEISTY: Baby Panda at National Zoo adds 2 Inches to Waist, Turns 8 Weeks Old

When mama bear Mei Xiang left the den yesterday to eat a fruitsicle (frozen treat made from diluted apple juice), zookeepers were able to retrieve the cub for a quick exam.

To read more on this story, click here: PLUMP AND FEISTY: Baby Panda at National Zoo adds 2 Inches to Waist, Turns 8 Weeks Old

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National Zoo Panda Update: Mom Mei Xiang Leaves Cub on its Own for the First Time (LISTEN)

WASHINGTON (ABC7) — The new giant panda cub at the National Zoo and mom Mei Xiang hit a milestone today, almost a week after the cub's birth.

According to panda caretakers, Mei Xiang left the den twice early Thursday morning to get a drink of water. It was the first time she's left her cub alone.

To read more on this story, click here: National Zoo Panda Update: Mom Mei Xiang Leaves Cub on its Own for the First Time (LISTEN)

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Birth Of Panda Cub Brings ‘Joyous News’ To The National Zoo

WASHINGTON (AP) — Giant panda Mei Xiang gave birth Friday to a wiggling cub and immediately began cuddling her offspring, Washington’s National Zoo said.

The cub was born at 6:35 p.m. Eastern Time, the zoo said in an Instagram post that announced the “joyous news.” It will take some time before the sex of the cub can be determined.

To read more on this story, click here: Birth Of Panda Cub Brings ‘Joyous News’ To The National Zoo

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Three Red Panda Cubs Born At The Virginia Zoo

Norfolk, Virginia - The Virginia Zoo welcomed three adorable red panda cubs.

Mom, three-year-old Masu, and dad, four-year-old Timur, welcomed three red panda cubs on June 18.

The two male and one female cubs weighed about five ounces at birth, but now they're just over a pound.

“Having red panda triplets is a unique situation,” said Dr. Colleen Clabbers, the Zoo’s Veterinarian. “It’s a lot of work for mom to care for three newborns, but Masu is doing a great job caring for the triplets, and all three have been thriving.”

Red pandas are tree-dwelling animals that are native to the eastern Himalayan. In the wild, they are usually found in habitats in Myanmar, Nepal, India, Bhutan, Tibet, and China.

At the Virginia Zoo, Momma Masu gave birth in an indoor, climate-controlled den where she has been nursing and bonding with her cubs.

The den is out of view to the public, but it is monitored by by Zoo Keepers and Animal Care Staff. Masu and the cubs will make their way to the original Red panda exhibit off the main pathway later this fall when Keepers feel they can confidently navigate the trees and other exhibit features.

“Our Animal Care team had a great strategy last year in moving Masu to the Animal Wellness Campus while she was still pregnant, providing privacy for her first birth experience. She took great care of her cubs last year, which is why we opted to do the same thing again this time around,” said Greg Bockheim, Executive Director of the Virginia Zoo. “We’re excited to introduce Masu and the triplets to the public this fall!”

What will the cubs be named? The Virginia Zoo is auctioning naming rights of the cubs in support of red panda conservation.

The public can place bids on each of the cubs’ names through August 30.

Click here to place a bid on the cub's name, or to learn more.





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