He Qi (和琪) is a vibrant female giant panda born on August 12, 2011, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. With a birth weight of 149.6 grams, He Qi quickly became a beloved member of the panda community. Known for her lively personality and striking appearance, she has captured the hearts of many visitors and panda enthusiasts. He Qi is the daughter of the successful breeding panda Cheng Gong and has been affectionately nicknamed “Fire Qi” or “He Qi Tiao” by fans due to her playful and sometimes mischievous nature.
Basic Information
- Name: He Qi (和琪)
- Gender: Female
- Lineage Number: 821
- Date of Birth: August 12, 2011
- Place of Birth: Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Moon Room
- Birth Weight: 149.6 grams
- Mother: Cheng Gong (成功)
- Twin Sister: He Mei (和美)
- Siblings: Gong Zai (功仔), He Xing (和兴), He Sheng (和盛), He Feng (和风), He Yu (和雨), He Ye (和叶) and He Hua (和花)
Intriguing Details of Panda He Qi
Appearance: He Qi is known for her bright, striking fur and sweet facial features, making her one of the “most beautiful” pandas at the breeding base.
The Windy Girl: He Qi’s playful and energetic nature has earned her a reputation as a “windy girl” who is always stirring up trouble and sparking playful “wars” among her companions.
Relationship with He Mei: He Qi and He Mei often share bamboo and apple buns together, and they even cuddle up to sleep. During their exhibition at the Guizhou Forest Wildlife Zoo, He Qi would always take the initiative to tease He Mei. However, He Mei is relatively calm, and the two sisters always manage to get along well.
Luxurious Eating Habits: When eating bamboo shoots, He Qi is very extravagant. She only eats the tender tips of the shoots and then discards them. This behavior forces the keepers to prepare more food for her.
Life Experience of Panda He Qi
Twin Bond: He Qi shares a special bond with her twin sister, He Mei (和美), having grown up inseparable from one another. From a young age, the twins relied on each other, frequently sharing bamboo and cozying up together for naps. They are known as one of the longest-living panda pairs in captivity, showcasing a remarkable sibling connection.
Naughty Six Group: During their early years, He Qi and He Mei formed the “Nauty Six” group with other pandas, including Shuang Xin (双欣), Shuang Xi (双喜), Er Qiao (二巧), and Ai Li (艾莉). This group was popular at the breeding base but later became the “Naughty Four” group when Shuang Xin and Shuang Xi left for other opportunities.
Move to Guizhou: On September 18, 2015, He Qi and He Mei were temporarily loaned to the Guizhou Forest Wild Animal Park (also known as Guiyang Forest Wild Animal Park) to start a new chapter in their lives.
Return to Chengdu: In March 2022. He Qi and He Mei returned together to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, resuming their lives in familiar surroundings.