Abandoned Bengal tiger turns 2 at Shanghai Zoo, drawing crowds of adoring fans

Hongtang (Brown Sugar), a Bengal tiger abandoned by her mother shortly after birth, celebrated her second birthday at the Shanghai Zoo on Monday, drawing crowds of adoring fans.

Born in August 2024 and weighing a mere 1,200 grams, the tiny cub was discovered by zoo staff nestled inside a cardboard box labeled "brown sugar twist", a popular Chinese pastry that inspired her name.

What began as a fight for survival has since become one of the zoo's most heartwarming success stories.

Hand-raised by dedicated zoo keepers from day one, Hongtang has grown into the zoo's biggest celebrity, amassing an ever-growing fanbase.

Zoo keepers began preparations for her birthday party at the crack of dawn, filling her enclosure with toys and a towering ice cake lavishly topped with slabs of fresh beef.

As soon as the gates opened, eager fans from across the city rushed to the glass walls of her habitat to wish their furry idol a happy birthday.

"We woke up at six this morning and got here by seven. I come to every single one of her birthday parties," said one young visitor, beaming with excitement.

For many others, Hongtang feels like family.

"She's just as adorable as the cat we have at home. She was born right here in Shanghai, so all of us 'aunties' have basically watched her grow up," one fan said.

"Sometimes she sticks out her little tongue, and it's just the cutest thing. I hope she stays lively and happy forever, living a carefree life," said another fan.

Tung Chee-hwa, former vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and former chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), died of illness at the age of 89 in Hong Kong at 21:57 Tuesday.

Tung is regarded as an outstanding contributor to "one country, two systems," a renowned patriot, an outstanding social activist and a close friend of the Communist Party of China.

He served as vice chairman of the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th National Committees of the CPPCC. He was the first- and second-term chief executive of the HKSAR.