2023-08-21 Xiao Qi Ji: Happy 3rd Birthday, Miracle Cub!

#animalkingdom #nature #kingdomofthepandas #pandas #animal
Today is Xiao Qi Ji's 3rd birthday! On this day in 2020 we were glued to the Panda Cub and witnessed a miracle, the birth of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian's 4th cub. Today, as we did in 2021 and 2022, we celebrate Qi Ji!

In this video you'll see him encounter what appeared to be a new enrichment item (it's blue, looks like a water bottle?), enjoy his carrot, apple, and sweet potato snacks from his "birthday boy" bowl, and anoint and play with a burlap snack.

You'll see a quick peek at daddy Tian Tian with his blue box celebrating his son's birthday, as well as Mei Xiang enjoying a bite of bamboo with her celebration box beside her.

Then at the 7:23 mark you'll hear Qi Ji's keepers call him as he has guests waiting for him outside! Per the Smithsonian's FaceBook page:
"This morning, Asia Trail keepers threw a "Young, Wild and Three"-themed party for our youngest giant panda, complete with decorated enrichment and a fantastic fruitsicle cake!
. . .
🎂 The Zoo’s Department of Nutrition Science keepers crafted the multi-tiered cake and “3” topper using frozen diluted apple and pineapple juices. The treat was “frosted” with a mixture of mashed sweet potatoes, mashed carrots and honey. Keepers decorated the tiers with apples, sweet potatoes, carrots and bamboo sprigs."

Note from Doxie: I respectively ask that you keep comments POSITIVE! Comments pertaining to anything other than the video content will be removed. Also, a reminder that I am not employed by or affiliated with the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping this a place of positivity, celebration and joy!

All video footage recorded from the Smithsonian's National Zoo's Panda Cam public website: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams/pa...
#PandaStory #MeiXiang #XiaoQiJi #Birthday