Zoo recruits helpers for panda birthday bash
Giant panda Xing Guang enjoys bamboo at Shanghai Zoo.
Giant panda Xing Guang (left) and He Feng sit in water to cool down.
Xing Guang takes a nap.
Xing Guang, a giant panda living at the Shanghai Zoo in Changning District will celebrate his 4-year birthday on June 23, and four lucky helpers can join in preparing a celebration in his honor.
Xing Guang arrived at the zoo in June last year from Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province. His name means "starlight" in Chinese, and he's already become a real star at the zoo, animal keepers say.
He likes soaking in water during hot weather with his panda pal He Feng and then taking a nap inside air-conditioned rooms, his keepers said. Xing Guang is also not picky about food and enjoys eating quickly.
Balloons, toys and treats such as apples, tomatoes and zongzi, a traditional food for the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, have been prepared for the special birthday occasion.
Four helpers are being recruited and they will participate in decorating for the party, as well as preparing bamboo shoots and making wotou, a kind of steamed bun of corn or sorghum, for Xing Guang.
Applications can be made via the zoo's and Shanghai Greenery and Public Sanitation Bureau's WeChat accounts with wishes for Xing Guang. Would-be helpers should love animals and be above 15 years old, said the zoo.
Expats also can participate, officials said.
The deadline for application is 4pm on Thursday.
All participants will be invited to write wishes of joy and healthy growth for Xing Guang.
A birthday party will also be organized on August 9 for He Feng, born in the same year. He Feng is nicknamed "White Socks" because he has white hair on his feet, the zoo operator said.
He arrived at the zoo with Xing Guang the same time.
Xing Guang enjoys bamboo shoots.
Xing Guang (left) and He Feng enjoy bamboo shoots.
Xing Guang takes a soak.
