National Zoo marks 50 years of panda conservation

STORY: To commemorate this momentous occasion, the Zoo’s in-residence giant panda family—24-year-old male Tian Tian, 23-year-old female Mei Xiang and their 19-month-old male cub Xiao Qi Ji received specially tailored fruitsicle cakes in honor of the “pandaversary.”

Keepers gave Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji access to their habitat around 8:10 a.m., and the pandas approached the cake with deliberate speed. The base of the cake was made of frozen diluted apple juice and pineapple juice. It was decorated with a red “50” as well as sweet potato, apple, carrot, pear, sugar cane, banana and yellow groove bamboo. Tian Tian received an ornate cake that was similarly adorned.

Our goal is to create a safe and engaging place for users to connect over interests and passions. In order to improve our community experience, we are temporarily suspending article commenting

Latest stories

  • Everything to know about ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’

    The Crawley family is back once again to take its eager viewers to another era of old-world charm in Downton Abbey: A New Era. Set in the 1930s, the story follows its impeccable cast as they go on a tour to the south of France to unravel a secret of one of the most prominent characters of the franchise. While the 2019 film Downton Abbey tied all loose ends from the six-season-long successful series, featuring 47 episodes and five Christmas specials, the sequel takes the story of the Crawley fami

  • Whip Up These Tamarind Cocktails For Your Next House Party

    Aromatic lemongrass, makrut lime leaves, and spicy ginger combine with tart fruity tamarind and rich, sweet coconut sugar to create a potent and delicious tamarind cocktail base that can be used in all kinds of concoctions. Combined with rum and fresh lime juice, it becomes a zippy tamarind daiquiri. With the addition of tequila and a splash of club soda, it becomes a refreshing tamarind cooler. Or try it in combination with your favourite iced tea for tamarind Arnold Palmer. Lara Lee, who creat

  • Umno amends party constitution to delay internal polls until after general elections

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Umno has approved amendments to the party constitution to allow internal polls to be delayed until six months after a general election in years these coincide, during the...

  • Need a good night sleep? Here are 8 essential oils to calm anxiety

    One of the most pervasive wellness products today on the market is essential oils. While aromatherapy and fancy spas are the first things that come to mind, using essential oils for anxiety is a great way to treat stress. Essential oils are aromatic oils that are extracted from plants through distillation. These can be obtained from many different parts of a plant, including leaves, flowers, and roots. These oils work either by inhalation or topical application for various skin and hair issues.

  • Laws to protect media needed, press group says after cops say no crime committed in altercation against reporters

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) today called for laws to protect media personnel when performing their duties, after the police decided on no further action against those who...

  • The Latest YouTube Updates Everyone Should Know About

    Since its 2005 launch by former PayPal employees Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim, millions all over the world are constantly watching, rewatching and sharing YouTube videos. The video site is currently a subsidiary of Google, which bought YouTube in 2006. The platform encourages people to connect and inspire others through big and small content creators and advertisers. More so, Youtube is leaving no stone unturned in improving its software with latest features and updates for the masses

  • SoPs for pubs and nightclubs issued by Putrajaya not applicable here, Sarawak says

    KUCHING, May 15 — The standard operating procedures (SoPs) for pubs and nightclubs during the transition to endemicity issued by the federal Ministry of Local Government and Housing is not...

  • Upko vice president offers to challenge Tangau for presidency

    KOTA KINABALU, May 16 — United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) vice president Datuk Ewon Benedik is ready and willing to go up against Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau for the party presidency....

  • Catch ‘South Park The Streaming Wars’ On Paramount+ On 1 June

    South Park The Streaming Wars, a special event of the critically acclaimed animated series South Park (1997– ), is slated to premiere on 1 June, on Paramount+. The streaming platform shared a 15-second teaser of the special on 11 May, while announcing the release date. “In SOUTH PARK THE STREAMING WARS, Cartman locks horns with his mom in a battle of wills while an epic conflict unfolds that threatens South Park’s very existence,” reads the description provided by Paramount+. South Park The Stre

  • MP urges allocation of funds to Bukit Aman’s sexual crime unit now amid lack of manpower to tackle child porn

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 16  —  Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto has today called on the Finance Ministry to expedite immediate funding of RM13 million for Bukit Aman’s Sexual, Women and Children...

  • 10 stunning destinations that have inspired the world of Pandora in Avatar

    As we await the release of the second Avatar movie, Avatar: The Way of Water, check out some places on Earth that offer landscapes as stunning as in the original movie itself! By Anushka Goel In 2009, one film took the world by storm. The world of Avatar, the film, awed many with its stunning landscapes, the magnificent tree of souls, bioluminescence, flying animals and more. If you’re someone who has been drawn into the world since it hit the screens some 13 years ago, know that you are not alo

  • Zahid backs both Najib and Anwar, says Petronas takeover and forensic audit needed to save Sapura Energy

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today gave his support for both suggestions to rescue beleaguered oil-and-gas operator Sapura Energy Bhd put forward in a recent...

  • Bersatu’s Wan Fayhsal says eyeing traditional Umno seat Bagan Serai in GE15

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal could attempt to wrest the Bagan Serai Parliamentary seat from Umno in the upcoming general...

  • The best destinations you should visit, based on your zodiac sign

    Plan your trips in accordance with your stars. Spot your sun sign below in this lineup of suitable destinations for each zodiac sign. Since summer’s all set to knock on your doors, it’s time for you to turn your #VacayMode on and pack your bags for a little travel escape. But if you’re still undecided about which destination to choose, maybe all you need to do is follow the stars. After all, your stars have the ability to predict what’s ahead of you, and a future perspective on your travels migh

  • Ku Li: Umno’s proposed constitutional amendment to hold party polls after GE15 must benefit Malays, not ‘one or two leaders’

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — Umno stalwart Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today warned that his party’s proposed constitutional amendment to allow the party polls to take place after the next General...

  • On Youth Day, PM says hopes for better political awareness among youngsters after Undi18 kicks off

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today said he hopes Malaysian youths will become more aware of the concept of parliamentary democracy and their roles as voters...

  • Here’s how you can watch every Marvel Cinematic Universe movies in chronological order

    The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is one of the biggest film franchises in cinematic history. Every film in it is a big-budget production and together form a shared storyline connected with events. Therefore, watching Marvel movies in chronological order can help better understand the events in the films, as well as the characters. How to watch MCU movies in order The MCU is divided into four phases, each concluding with a major event that necessitates the involvement of most of the superheroe

  • Under fire, Zahid says Umno constitution amendment to stabilise party, not save himself

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi insisted today that his party’s proposed constitutional amendment is meant to stabilise it and prepare the current leadership...

  • Five signs that the ‘old normal’ has returned to Malaysia

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — For more than two years, Malaysians have adjusted to changes in our everyday lives and adopted what the government has termed the “new normal”: social distancing, wearing...

  • Melaka Umno no. 2 backs Sulaiman to lead state chapter, denies wanting the post for himself

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — Tangga Batu division chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad today denied claims that he is aiming for the position of Melaka Umno chief, which is currently held by Datuk Seri...