The Birthday Season Begins!
August 21: Bikkie's Birthday
Bikkie was our miracle cub and his “real” (humph) name, Xiao Qi Ji means “Little Miracle”. Mama Mei Xiang was 22 when he was born in the middle of the first pandemic in more than a century and in the midst of the most batshit crazy election we had ever seen. (2024: hold my beer)
So when Bikkie (aka Biscuit, aka Xiao Qi Ji, aka Chi Gee) was born, well, let’s just say, the pressure was on!
As the fourth panda in the DC Xiang Tian Panda Dynasty, and very possibly the last panda born in this country for some time to come, it’s no wonder that all eyes were on young Biscuit. Here are some of my favorite ‘toons about him, to celebrate his third birthday! As you may notice, Pinky has a tendency to show up in ‘toons in which she is not the star. (Pinky: I am ALWAYS da star!)
If you are not a long time reader of the Panda Chronicles (really, my head hurts just to type that sentence) you might be wondering why there is a large non- panda taking care of Bikkie. That is his nanny, Beary Poppins, aka Frank. We will re-run the Holiday Encore Presentation “Beary Poppins” in the appropriate season! Something to look forward to!
I love all the cartoons about the little panda who brought hope to us during the awful months of the year of 2020!
He is a Little Miracle! But a Big Miracle now. There were times he was Mr. Cranky Pants to his long suffering Mommee, but she has taught him well. What joy he has brought to the visitors at the SMITHSONIAN Zoo and the millions of fans who watch the bear on the wonderful SMITHSONIAN cameras.
I am sorry that the bears are going to China later in this year. Thanks to all the SMITHSONIAN scientists and zoo nannies and employees who have saved this species from extinction while working with the Chinese scientists to accomplish this. I wish China and the USA had another plan in mind to continue their joint work on pandas. This is true diplomacy and so needed at this time. It would be the intelligent solution to a number of problems.
And thanks to our wonderful artist and writer, Anne Belov, who brings all the live bears to us in this special format.
What a treat to see what Anne creates when the bears whisper in her ears about what they are up to. And what great fun for us to be the recipients of her artistic imagination! 🐼❤️