Xiao Qi Ji ~ Our Cub in the Tub is Having a Ball

 

#PandaStory Day 331 of Xiao Qi Ji's journey: Today Qi Ji had an abundance of enrichment, including a ball at the top of the teepee structure, a ball in his hammock, and his tub that was filled with hay and a treat feeder! First up is some quality time with momma Mei Xiang on the hill as they both enjoy what appears to be bamboo shoots. A bit later they're up by the Panda House and Qi Ji is nibbling on his momma and rolling around. Later the keepers put out his tub with the hay and treat feeders, and probably sprinkled treats as well as a green apple (?) in the vicinity. Qi Ji got first dibs because Mei Xiang was still in the panda house, but the apple rolled away while he was scratching. Then Qi Ji decided to go indoors, and when Mei saw him, she checked on what he was doing before heading outside with him literally on her heels! Mei enjoys the treat feeder outdoors while foot-blocking Qi Ji's efforts. (The breeze was great for the pandas and visitors, but any of us watching on Panda Cam were ready to pull out the tree loppers!) He climbs up on the leg of the teepee, and missed falling on her, but play resumed. Mei found the apple that he had dropped earlier. Then he heads up the teepee structure, and there at the top his keepers have left him some enrichment ... his blue Jolly Ball and a branch (probably that he broke off a tree). First he gets the Jolly Ball which he plays with on the ground, then he goes back up to get the branch. He heads to his hammock around 10:30am where he rolled around on the structure, played with the red ball, nibbled on some tree debris, and took his morning nap. Just before 1pm he heads back toward the Panda House but is waylaid by the tub and the multi-sided treat feeder, before Mei Xiang comes and greets him, and they head toward the Panda House side by side.