The Journey of Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji: National Zoo Pandas Return to China
The Struggle to Mate
Before the National Zoo’s beloved giant pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, had their cub Xiao Qi Ji in 2020, zoo staff struggled to get the couple to mate.
Zoo curators tried nearly every method, The Washington Post reported: dimming the lights of the couple’s enclosure, reducing noise levels, and even putting Tian Tian, the male panda, on a fitness program to build up his stamina.
One of the exercises was to get Tian Tian to stand as tall as he could to work out his legs. For Mei Xiang, curators had her lie on a log to help her prepare for when Tian Tian approached her.
Artificial Insemination
Despite the pandas’ liking for each other, zoo officials resorted to artificial insemination to increase the chances of Mei Xiang getting pregnant. Mei Xiang was inseminated with Tian Tian’s semen multiple times.
Their latest cub, Xiao Qi Ji, was born on August 21, 2020.
The Journey Back to China
Now, after more than 20 years in the United States, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji are expected to bid farewell to the National Zoo in Washington, DC, and return to China by the end of the year via FedEx.
Mei Xiang and Tian Tian arrived in the US from China in 2000 as part of the Giant Panda Cooperative Research and Breeding Agreement. The purpose of the agreement was to study panda reproduction and maintain the wild population of giant pandas.
A Successful Legacy
During their time at the National Zoo, Mei Xiang has given birth to four surviving cubs, including Xiao Qi Ji, with Tian Tian. Despite the initial difficulties in mating the couple, their successful breeding program contributed to the conservation efforts of giant pandas.
