MOSCOW - "Katyusha," the first giant panda ever born in Russia, celebrated her second birthday on Sunday at Moscow Zoo, where a week-long gala greeted visitors pouring in to honor the "popular star."

To mark the special day, the zoo crafted a bespoke "cake" using bamboo and fresh fruits, paired with an ice sculpture shaped like the number "2." Frozen within the ice were carrots, one of the cub's favorite treats.

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On her birthday, zookeepers went the extra mile to build a tiny bamboo hut as a special gift. Amid visitors' cheers, "Katyusha" was instantly captivated by the hut: she sniffed out the biscuits hidden inside by her keepers, then quickly tore into the bamboo structure, munching away with obvious delight.

Moscow Zoo was decked out in Chinese-style decor throughout the week. Red lanterns, an iconic symbol of joy and festivity in Chinese culture, lined the path from the zoo's entrance all the way to the Giant Panda Pavilion. Visitors enjoyed traditional dragon and lion dances, elegant tea ceremonies, handicraft workshops, and a documentary on the growth journey of "Katyusha."

Giant pandas are globally recognized as flagship species and umbrella species. In line with this, Moscow Zoo launched a special themed tour titled "Guests from China," linking exhibits of animals native to China to highlight the country's rich biodiversity and ecological progress.

Svetlana Akulova, director general of Moscow Zoo, shared updates on the current condition of "Katyusha." "She is not just a symbol of the Russia-China friendship, but also a vital component of our joint Sino-Russian scientific research program on giant pandas. Her growth is a rare example of natural maternal rearing in a zoo setting," Akulova said.

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Vasilyeva, a Russian teenage girl, dressed up as an adorable giant panda in a black-and-white patterned hoodie. She made a special trip to the zoo with her family to join the celebrations. "I've always loved giant pandas," she said, "because they're a bit lazy, just like me! We have so much in common."

Outside the panda's enclosure, Ms Dmitriyeva held her young daughter and watched the panda for a long time. "It's so good to see an animal as precious and unique as this in Russia," she told Xinhua.

Even in China, the family of "Katyusha" has a huge group of fans. Chinese netizens affectionately refer to her as "Princess Shasha," a cute diminutive of her Chinese name.

Wu Kai, an expert in giant panda breeding and cub rearing at the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda, has a special bond with "Katyusha."

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Two years ago, he traveled to Moscow to assist with the panda mom's delivery and witnessed the cub's birth.

With over a decade of experience, Wu has been part of nearly 200 giant panda births. "Katyusha" is the third cub he has helped deliver outside of China.

"I often watch videos about this panda family online," Wu said. "Once you've cared for a panda cub, they stay in your heart. I just hope she grows up healthy and happy."

At the grand celebration, the Chinese Embassy in Russia presented a special gift to "Katyusha." Minister Counselor Zhang Wei said, "The birth of 'Katyusha' is a cute representative of the enduring China-Russia friendship in the new era. She's not just a 'special envoy' for cultural exchange, she has also become a top celebrity loved by millions on social media in both countries."

The cub's parents, "Ru Yi" and "Ding Ding," arrived in Moscow in April 2019 as part of a Sino-Russian panda conservation collaboration. On Aug 24, 2023, "Ding Ding" gave birth to her first cub, making "Katyusha" the first giant panda born in Russia. The cub's name was chosen via a public vote that drew over 380,000 Russian participants.

The panda family has held a special place in the hearts of the Russian people since then.