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.
Abandoned Bengal tiger turns 2 at Shanghai Zoo, drawing crowds of adoring fans
Abandoned Bengal tiger turns 2 at Shanghai Zoo, drawing crowds of adoring fans
Residents from Colombian capital city of Bogota expressed their gratitude to China's humanitarian aid supplies for the country's quake-affected communities after a shipment of 80-tonne relief supplies arrived on Tuesday.
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck western Colombia on Aug 10. The death toll from the quake had risen to 304, with 4,548 people injured and 426 others missing, the country's disaster management agency said Tuesday.
The items, including generators, mobile water purification vehicles, medical disinfection gears, solar-powered lights, tents, and blankets, are urgently needed in the country which is facing the enormous challenge of relief and reconstruction.
"This is excellent. The earthquake was devastating and we are thankful to China and everyone who is helping and putting their grain of sand," said Raimundo Montemiranda, a security guard.
"Thankful to this help, and any help is going to be helpful from people and countries. This is solidarity and the unity of the world," said Eduardo Prieto, an insurance salesman.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said Monday night that about one-third of Colombia had been affected by the quake, which was centered in San Jose del Palmar in the department of Choco.
He said preliminary estimates put direct economic losses from the earthquake at nearly 30 trillion Colombian pesos (about 9.6 billion U.S. dollars), including 24.5 trillion pesos in building damage and 5.5 trillion pesos in infrastructure damage.
Domestic and international humanitarian aid are both keeping pouring into the hardest-hit areas while search and rescue teams are still working in places where people may remain trapped under the rubble.
Bogota residents express gratitude to China's quake relief supplies for Colombia
