Giant panda Mei Xiang enjoys an ice cake at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, the United States, on July 22, 2023. (SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL ZOO AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY INSTITUTE / HANDOUT VIA XINHUA)

WASHINGTON - Giant panda Mei Xiang's 25th birthday was celebrated at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, on Saturday.

In the morning, animal care staff presented Mei Xiang, a female, with a special panda-friendly fruitsicle cake made by the zoo's nutritionists.

Commissary keepers crafted the multi-tiered cake and "25" topper using frozen diluted apple juice. Mashed sweet potatoes, mashed carrots, apple slices and bamboo added a decorative flair to the festive treat.

"Happy 25th birthday, Mei Xiang," the zoo tweeted. "Join us in wishing her a happy birthday!"

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Mei Xiang's male cub, Xiao Qi Ji, will turn three years old on Aug 21. Tian Tian, the cub's biological father, will turn 26 in late August.

Giant panda Mei Xiang enjoys an ice cake at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, the United States, on July 22, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Giant panda Mei Xiang is seen at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, the United States, on July 22, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Visitors watch giant panda Mei Xiang enjoying an ice cake at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, the United States, on July 22, 2023. Giant panda Mei Xiang celebrated her 25th birthday here on Saturday. The zoo organized a special party to celebrate the occasion with her fans. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Giant panda Mei Xiang enjoys an ice cake at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC, the United States, on July 22, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)