Smithsonian Channel™ Documentary “The Miracle Panda” narrated by Lucy Liu premieres Wednesday, April 20 at 8/7c

Promo HERE

Key art HERE

Smithsonian Channel™ is set to premiere a brand new nature documentary titled The Miracle Panda on Wednesday, April 20 at 8/7c. Narrated by award-winning actor Lucy Liu, The Miracle Panda tells the story of Xiao Qi Ji, the “Little Miracle,” who was born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in August 2020 against all odds. The documentary will also debut on Smithsonian Channel™ in the UK and Latin America on April 20th.

At the height of a global pandemic, a mama bear considered too old to fall pregnant is granted one more chance, despite a shortage of zoo staff and a tiny window of opportunity. The dedicated global team of animal keepers, veterinarians and conservationists who have worked tirelessly to save a beloved species are rewarded with the miraculous arrival of a panda bear cub who becomes an international symbol of joy and hope.

This heartwarming, emotional film follows one family of pandas at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and shines a light on the incredibly successful 50-year collaboration between scientists, veterinarians, panda keepers and conservationists from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute and their counterparts in China to save giant pandas from the brink of extinction.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of The Miracle Panda and help tell the amazing story of Xiao Qi Ji,” said award-winning actor and narrator Lucy Liu. “The film is a moving tribute to the important partnership between the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute and China that has made incredible progress in saving the giant pandas we all love. Xiao Qi Ji’s birth was a bright moment for the world during a tough time and he continues to bring joy to animal lovers, like myself, everywhere.”

Liz Mcleod for Meridian Line Films, Wang Yuanyuan for CICC and Tria Thalman for MTV Entertainment Studios serve as Executive Producers, respectively.

Program Description:

• He’s the latest member of America’s rockstar panda family: Xiao Qi Ji, the adored “Little Miracle,” born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo during the pandemic. Now, Smithsonian Channel™ ’s documentary The Miracle Panda takes us behind the scenes to experience preparations for his 1st birthday, as we discover that Xiao Qi Ji’s family are much more than just panda celebrities. They’re the symbol of a successful 50-year collaboration between scientists, keepers and conservationists at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and their counterparts in China.

• We learn how Xiao Qi Ji’s journey to birth was truly a US-China joint effort, and in China we meet his elder siblings Tai Shan and Bao Bao, now part of the next stage in the panda’s remarkable return from the brink of extinction – the release of hand-picked cubs to the wild.

• In the beautiful mountains of western China we see how Smithsonian conservationists and their Chinese colleagues are working together to understand, preserve and restore the panda’s habitat so wild pandas can truly flourish.

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