The Smithsonian’s National Zoo announced on Monday that its three-month-old giant panda cub received his name following a virtual vote: Xiao Qi Ji (SHIAU-chi-ji).
Nearly 135,000 people voted during a five-day online poll for possible names to be given to the panda cub.
The winning name, Xiao Qi Ji, translates as “little miracle” in English, and it was one of four Mandarin Chinese names that were offered in the vote, according to a statement from the National Zoo.
“Giant pandas are an international symbol of endangered wildlife and hope, and Xiao Qi Ji’s birth offered the world a much-needed moment of joy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,” the zoo said in the statement. “His name reflects the extraordinary circumstances under which he was born and celebrates the collaboration between colleagues who strive to conserve this species.”
🐼❤️ After five days just under 135,000 votes cast, we are thrilled to share that our 3-month-old giant panda cub’s name is. . . ✏️LEARN MORE: https://t.co/DIXKDErTjv.
. . .
#PandaStory #PandaCubdates pic.twitter.com/OgKD76QUEq— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) November 23, 2020
“Connecting people around the world with nature, whether in person or in this virtual setting, is a cornerstone of our mission to conserve and protect giant pandas for future generations,” Steve Monfort, John and Adrienne Mars Director of the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, was quoted as saying.
Xiao Qi Ji was born on August 21 at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat, after his mother Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) was artificially inseminated in March 2020 by a team of reproductive scientists at the zoo.
Xiao Qi Ji’s birth was live-streamed on the zoo’s Giant Panda Cam, which is accessible on the zoo’s website. More than 1.5 million people have viewed him on the Panda Cam since then.
The zoo announced two weeks ago that the cub started teething and was expected to walk soon.
The zoo temporarily closed its doors to visitors as of Monday, along with the other Smithsonian facilities, as part of efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
But panda enthusiasts can continue following updates on Xiao Qi Ji on the zoo’s website, on social media under the hashtags #PandaStory and #PandaCubdates and in the Giant Panda e-newsletter.
National Zoo’s Giant Panda Cub Starts Teething, Will Walk Soon