Xiao Qi Ji is expanding his skillset. Author: Matt Pusatory (WUSA9) Updated: 10:55 AM EDT April 3, 2021 WASHINGTON тАФ The Smithsonian National Zoo's giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji has been putting his climbing skills to the test lately, according to his handlers.┬а The National Zoo released videos of everyone's favorite cub climbing around the climbing structures, at one point joined by his mother, Mei Xiang.┬а "This once cautious cub has become much more confident in his abilities to maneuver around the outdoor habitat," said Laurie Thompson, assistant curator of giant pandas for the zoo, in a blog post Friday. Thompson said the 7-month-old cub has also started climbing real trees, too, including some evergreens and a ginkgo tree.