National Zoo celebrates giant panda cub’s second birthday

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji eats birthday cake for breakfast. (Courtesy National Zoo)

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji ate birthday cake for breakfast Sunday morning as he celebrates turning two-years-old at the National Zoo in D.C.

He’ll be getting a special “fruitsicle” cake — and his mom Mei Xiang may take part in the festivities too.

Listen as zoo-attendees sing out their birthday wishes to Xiao Qi Ji. (WTOP/Acacia James)



Last month, the zoo celebrated Mei Xiang’s 24th birthday with an ice cake.

The birthday parties come as the zoo continues to celebrate 50 years of caring and hosting the “iconic species.”

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji eats birthday cake for breakfast. (Courtesy National Zoo)

You can watch the panda livestream on the zoo’s website to celebrate from home.

WTOP’s John Aaron contributed to this report.

Jessica Kronzer

Jessica Kronzer graduated from James Madison University in May 2021 after studying media and politics. She enjoys covering politics, advocacy and compelling human-interest stories.

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