Giant panda Xiang Xiang, born at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, Japan, is seen celebrating three-year-old birthday with a cake made of apples, carrots and others in a video clip shot released on June 11, 2020. (Photo courtesy of TokyoZooNet)
Xiang Xiang has been eating well and exercising a lot during the temporary closure of the zoo. She is very healthy, said a zoo director, hoping everyone will continue to watch her growth.
TOKYO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Giant panda Xiang Xiang, who was born at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, celebrated her three-year-old birthday on Friday, which is her last one in Japan as she is expected to be returned to China later this year.
The zoo, which has been closed since the outbreak of COVID-19, released several video clips about Xiang Xiang's growth on its official website for her fans to celebrate her birthday on line.
Giant panda Xiang Xiang, born at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, Japan, is seen celebrating three-year-old birthday with a cake made of apples, carrots and others in a video clip shot released on June 11, 2020. (Photo courtesy of TokyoZooNet)
In one of the video clips shot earlier this week, Xiang Xiang can be seen eat a birthday cake made of apples, carrots and others.
According to the zoo, Xiang Xiang now weighs more than 80 kg and is growing well.
"Xiang Xiang has been eating well and exercising a lot during the temporary closure of the zoo. She is very healthy. I hope everyone will continue to watch her growth," said a zoo director.
Giant panda Xiang Xiang, born at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, Japan, is seen celebrating three-year-old birthday with a cake made of apples, carrots and others in a video clip shot released on June 11, 2020. (Photo courtesy of TokyoZooNet)
The zoo is scheduled to reopen on June 23, with a daily limit of 4,000 visitors. Online and telephone reservations will be accepted from next Tuesday.
Xiang Xiang was born on June 12, 2017 to mother Shin Shin and father Ri Ri through natural mating at the Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo.
Her name was chosen from more than 320,000 suggestions that people sent to the zoo.
Photo taken on Dec. 18, 2017 shows giant panda cub Xiang Xiang at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens, Japan. (Xinhua)
Xiang Xiang's parents came to Japan in 2011 under a 10-year lease agreement with China.
Xiang Xiang was originally scheduled to return to China when she turns two, but the date was pushed to the end of this year.■
