Beloved giant panda Maozhu marked its 11th birthday this week at Yunnan Wildlife Park, captivating visitors with a celebration showcasing China's wildlife conservation efforts. Keepers presented the furry celebrity with a multi-tiered cake crafted from frozen apple slices, bamboo shoots, and nutrient-rich biscuits – a treat met with enthusiastic pawing and contented crunching.
Over 500 visitors gathered to witness the festivities, with live streams reaching audiences across Asia. Park director Li Wei noted: "Maozhu's birthday isn't just fun – it reminds us how conservation partnerships between zoos and research centers help protect endangered species."
The celebration coincides with growing ecotourism interest in Yunnan province, where panda habitats form part of broader biodiversity preservation initiatives. Wildlife parks across the Chinese mainland have reported 22% year-on-year increases in visitors since 2022, according to cultural tourism analysts.
