The votes are in and counted and the giant panda born at the Washington zoo 3 months ago is to be named Xiao Qi Ji, or “Little Miracle,” the zoo in the US capital said on Monday, November 23.

Xiao Qi Ji was one of 4 Mandarin Chinese names put up for public online vote and nearly 135,000 votes were received between November 16 and 20, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo said.

“Giant pandas are an international symbol of endangered wildlife and hope, and Xiao Qi Ji’s birth offered the world a much-needed moment of joy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,” the zoo said in a statement.

🐼❤️ After five days just under 135,000 votes cast, we are thrilled to share that our 3-month-old giant panda cub’s name is. . . ✏️LEARN MORE: https://t.co/DIXKDErTjv.
. . .
#PandaStory #PandaCubdates pic.twitter.com/OgKD76QUEq

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) November 23, 2020

The male panda was born on August 21 to Mei Xiang, 22, the second-oldest documented giant panda in the world to give birth.

She was artificially inseminated in March with frozen semen from Tian Tian, 23.

More than 1.5 million people have tuned in to watch the baby panda and Mei Xiang on the zoo’s Giant Panda Cam.

“Watching Xiao Qi Ji always puts a smile on my face,” said Steve Monfort, director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

“We are grateful that those who share in our joy have helped us pick the perfect name for our panda cub.”

🐼❤️ In their latest update, giant panda keepers Marty Dearie + Mariel Lally reflect on the “little miracle” that is Xiao Qi JI and share details about a recent field trip where the cub spotted his dad, Tian Tian, for the first time! ✏️STORY: https://t.co/6VeD03V9W7. #PandaStory pic.twitter.com/8GXWAVMbrX

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) November 25, 2020

Mei Xiang has now given birth to 4 surviving offspring.

All cubs born at the zoo move to China when they are 4 years old under a partnership contract in which China owns the pandas.

The zoo’s breeding agreement with China expires in December and it is currently discussing an extension with the Chinese authorities.

🐼❤️ Big milestones are on the horizon for our giant panda cub. Tomorrow he turns 3 months old, and on Monday he’ll receive his name! (Did we mention he tips the scale in double digits?) Get the update from keeper Marty Dearie. ✏️STORY: https://t.co/TFDrh4a6Nn. #PandaStory pic.twitter.com/eFJBipcf4g

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) November 20, 2020

Fewer than 2,000 giant pandas still live in their natural habitat in China, while some 600 more live in zoos and breeding centers around the world, according to the zoo.

The Washington zoo closed its doors on Monday, November 23, for an undetermined time because of the surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States. – Rappler.com