Qi Qi

Basic Profile

Qi Qi (Chinese: 七七, studbook number 1139) is a female giant panda born on July 17, 2018 at Shanghai Wildlife Park, weighing 165 grams.

Her mother is Gong Zhu (公主, studbook 477) — one of the most prolific mothers in the captive breeding program. Qi Qi was Gong Zhu’s 14th cub and 7th daughter (hence the name).

Naming

Her name “七七” was chosen from over 3,000 public submissions through a naming contest. It carries three meanings:

1. 7/17 — her birth date
2. 7th daughter — her rank among Gong Zhu’s cubs
3. 70th anniversary — of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 2019

Personality

Qi Qi is lively and active, loves climbing trees (a skilled “tree master”), and enjoys playing with a tortoise shell toy where keepers hide food underneath. She learned to eat bamboo leaves independently by imitating her mother.

2023 Intestinal Obstruction

On February 27, 2023, Qi Qi showed reduced activity and appetite. CT scan at Shanghai Renji Hospital confirmed intestinal obstruction caused by impacted bamboo. A joint surgical team from CCRCGP, Renji Hospital, and Shanghai Wildlife Park performed surgery on March 1 to remove the blockage. She recovered fully by May 15, 2023.

Return to Sichuan

In January 2026, Qi Qi departed Shanghai and returned to Sichuan to join the breeding program.