2023-03-11 Xiao Qi Ji ~ Baby Bleats, Who Barked?, & Bonus Family Footage
#animalkingdom #nature #kingdomofthepandas #pandas #animal
#PandaStory: Xiao Qi Ji was sleeping in the nesting circles overnight, only the 2nd or 3rd time since he was separated from Mei Xiang. (Usually he sleeps atop the rockwork in room 3.)
Qi Ji at some point, dragged the tub into the den so while he was going through his normal morning routine waiting for his keepers, he kept encountering it when he went into the den. You can hear his bleat (first time I've heard him bleat, a much more youthful bleat than his mother), and his normal "cry" as he talked to his keepers.
Then you see momma Mei Xiang in yard 3/4 enjoying her enrichment. Then back to Qi Ji heading up the evergreen, his favorite place to nap outdoors. Next is papa Tian savoring an apple followed by Mei crunching on some sugar cane (or is it bamboo sprouts?).
Back to Qi Ji who had a long encounter with his papa Tian at the howdy window. The audio was turned on during the visit and you can hear a bark! Not sure who barked, but as Qi Ji walked away he "grumbled", lol!
Mei Xiang is seen munching on her apple in room 4, Qi Ji tackling a thicker piece of bamboo, Mei tackling a treat feeder stuffed with hay as well as treats, and next up ... Qi Ji got a NEW TOY! It appeared that the keepers had slathered honey on it as he spent a lot of time licking it!
Then Tian is taking a nap outdoors on a bed of hay the keepers put on the sidewalk adjacent to the Panda House ~ he looks comfy on his back! At the same time Qi Ji was napping atop room 3's rockwork.
Listen carefully, you can hear the keeper call Qi Ji to come get his fruitie. And not sure why but he really did some footwork to adjust his hold on the fruitie. Daddy Tian also had a yummy fruitie too. Tian and Qi Ji had another encounter, but no audio, all appeared well.
When Qi Ji came indoors for the day (a bit early, don't forget to set your clocks forward if necessary!), the keepers had put what looked like sweet potato in the holes of his enrichment! After eating his full of bamboo, it was time to take a nap.
Bonus footage:
March 5th, Mei Xiang eating bamboo sitting up on the hammock in room 4.
March 7th, Qi Ji figures out how to get the log wedged behind the hammock structure legs.
March 9th, Qi Ji was frisky that day, spending lots of time in the indoor pools, playing with the logs, and rolling down the hill with sticks! (Really tough to see him when there is such contrast between sun and shade!) And last but not least, Qi Ji pauses (and poses) before shaking and rolling off out of camera frame!
Note from Doxie: I respectively ask that you do not post comments disparaging the Smithsonian's National Zoo's treatment of their Giant Pandas, or Mei Xiang's parenting of Xiao Qi Ji, or any comparisons to other Zoos. 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