Giant Panda Celebrates Birthday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

This morning, Asia Trail keepers at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C., celebrated giant panda Mei Xiang’s (may-SHONG) 25th birthday at the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. At 9 a.m., animal care staff presented her with a special panda-friendly fruitsicle cake made by the Zoo’s Department of Nutrition Science. Commissary keepers crafted the multi-tiered cake and “25” topper using frozen diluted apple juice. Mashed sweet potatoes, mashed carrots, apple slices and bamboo added a decorative flair to the festive treat. Virtual visitors tuned in to NZCBI’s Giant Panda Cam, sponsored by Boeing, to watch Mei Xiang enjoy her birthday festivities.

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Photo credit: Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute