Giant panda Mang Cancan celebrated his 3rd birthday on Monday with a special feast featuring various fruit and vegetable at Chongqing Zoo in southwest China.
Zookeepers prepared an elaborate birthday meal for the giant panda, including a pumpkin-carved cart and fruit hamper made of cantaloupe. The festivities were further enhanced with snow-and-ice decorations and a water-mist spray.
Despite the intense summer heat, numerous local residents and tourists made a special trip to the zoo to share birthday wishes to this beloved giant panda.
“I came to see Mang Xiaowu celebrating his birthday. He was eating watermelon and ice and looks very happy. Here I wish Mang Xiaowu a happy birthday,” said a visitor.
Mang Cancan was born on July 6, 2023 at Chongqing Zoo, weighing 191 grams at birth.
As the fifth cub of his mother Mangzai, he is affectionately called Mang Xiaowu, meaning “Mang Little Five”.
His official name, “Mang Cancan”, was selected by over 13,000 citizens and netizens through a public vote when he was 100 days old, symbolizing beauty and brilliance in Chinese.
Giant panda Mang Cancan celebrates 3rd birthday in Chongqing
Fans in Madrid passionately celebrated the victory of Team Spain in their World Cup Round of 16 match on Monday after witnessing a hard-earn win against Portugal.
The fierce match was broadcast at Plaza de Colon where supporters gathered together to watch the tense Iberian derby.
Failing to find breakthroughs in normal time, Spain finally broke the deadlock in the first minute of stoppage time. Substitute Mikel Merino scored, helping Spain reach the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals and ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s bid to lift football’s biggest trophy.
“It feels really great. Honestly, I was extremely nervous and it was tough just now, but now I feel wonderful — we finally won. Spain kept fighting until the very end, kept playing with determination, and Portugal also played really well,” said Paula, a Spain supporter.
“I feel great, because Spain won and that’s my country. I’m also very happy, as we have advanced to the quarterfinals. Next, we will see if Spain can go all the way and win the World Cup,” said Diego, another Spanish fan.
Spain, who have yet to concede a goal at the tournament, will face Belgium in the quarterfinal in Seattle on July 10.
Supporters in Madrid celebrate as Spain defeats Portugal in World Cup 1/8 Final