D.C.鈥檚 favorite black and white bears are celebrating their matriarch’s birthday. Mei Xiang turned 25 years old Saturday, in what is likely her last birthday in the nation鈥檚 capital.
Hundreds of panda fans gathered around Mei鈥檚 habitat as she toyed with her baby blue , occasionally taking a nibble as she opened her presents full of treats.
鈥淚t is amazing to be able to have the opportunity to spend another birthday with Mei. I feel it’s a privilege,鈥� Gina Koo, who came all the way from New Jersey to celebrate, told 海角社区app.
Mei Xiang, meaning 鈥渂eautiful fragrance,” at the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan Province.
She and Tian Tian, a male panda, moved to the Smithsonian National Zoo on Dec. 6, 2000, and since that date she has captured the hearts of animal lovers.
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鈥淪he’s my favorite panda. I’ve never missed her birthday before,鈥� said Sonal Purohit, who flew in for Mei Xiang’s birthday.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e our bears and you get to know their personalities and what they like, what they don’t like and Mei Xiang, she’s such a smart bear and such a great mom and being able to watch her raise her cubs has been just incredible.鈥�
Mei has birthed four cubs including Xiao Qi Ji, who was born in 2020. Mei became the oldest panda in North America to have a cub.
The celebration also has special meaning because it will likely be Mei鈥檚 last birthday in Washington D.C. She and the other two bears are as part of an agreement with the China Wildlife and Conservation Association.
