The Moscow Zoo celebrated a historic moment as Russia’s first-ever giant panda cub, Katyusha, made her public debut. Born in August of last year to giant pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi, Katyusha has quickly become a symbol of friendship between Russia and China.
At six and a half months old, Katyusha weighs 16.5 kilograms and measures 100 centimeters in length. “She is a big baby now,” said Svetlana Akulova, General Director of the Moscow Zoo. “She came into this open enclosure for the first time, and the whole of Russia is watching her.”
The name “Katyusha” was selected through a public contest that attracted over 380,000 participants, reflecting the nation’s enthusiasm for the young cub. Visitors lined up in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the adorable panda.
“We came here to see Katyusha,” said one excited visitor. “We’ve followed her story on social media and couldn’t wait to see her in person. This is a big event because she is the first giant panda born in Russia.”
Another visitor added, “Giant pandas are a symbol of China. Seeing Katyusha here signifies a special connection between our countries.”
The arrival of Ding Ding and Ru Yi in April 2019 marked the beginning of a new chapter in Russia-China wildlife cooperation. Katyusha’s birth signifies the success of these efforts and offers hope for the conservation of this cherished species.
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First Russia-born giant panda cub makes public debut at Moscow Zoo
cgtn.com
