After more than two decades as goodwill ambassadors in the United States, giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tiantian, along with their cub Xiao Qi Ji, have safely returned to their home in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The family of three landed on Thursday, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in international wildlife conservation and cultural exchange.
Mei Xiang, a female panda born on July 22, 1998, and Tiantian, a male panda born on August 27, 1997, have been residents of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. since December 2000. During their time abroad, they became beloved figures, enchanting millions of visitors with their playful antics and contributing significantly to awareness and research on giant panda conservation.
Their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, whose name means “Little Miracle,” was born in August 2020 amid the global pandemic, bringing joy and hope to animal lovers worldwide. His birth was celebrated as a significant achievement, as giant pandas are known for their low reproduction rate in captivity.
Their return to Chengdu is a poignant moment, symbolizing the deepening ties in wildlife conservation efforts. The pandas will now reside at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, where they will continue to play a crucial role in breeding and conservation programs.
Fans of Mei Xiang, Tiantian, and Xiao Qi Ji can look forward to updates on their new life back home, as they settle into their natural habitat and continue to captivate hearts both in China and around the globe.
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Home, sweet home, Xiao Qi Ji and his family landed in Chengdu
cgtn.com
