Video thumbnail for China: Abandoned Bengal tiger turns 2 at Shanghai Zoo, drawing crowds of adoring fans.

China: Abandoned Bengal tiger turns 2 at Shanghai Zoo, drawing crowds of adoring fans.

Aug 19, 2026

StringersHub

Shotlist Shanghai, China - Aug 17, 2026 (SMG International - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Various of carton box with words reading "Happy birthday" 2. Various of zoo staff preparing birthday party for Bengal tiger Hongtang 3. Various of tiger strolling, playing with toys at zoo 4. Various of visitors using cell phone to record Bengal tiger Hongtang through glass wall 5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) zoo visitor (name not given) (ending with shot 6): "We woke up at six this morning and got here by seven. I come to every single one of her birthday parties." 6. Various of tiger picking up bamboo basket with her mouth 7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) zoo visitor (name not given) (starting with shot 6): "She's just as adorable as the cat we have at home. She was born right here in Shanghai, so all of us 'aunties' have basically watched her grow up." 8. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) zoo visitor (name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 9): "Sometimes she sticks out her little tongue, and it's just the cutest thing. I hope she stays lively and happy forever, living a carefree life." ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 9. Various of tiger at zoo ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 10. Various of tiger at zoo 11. Various of birthday poster for Hongtang Storyline Hongtang (Brown Sugar), a Bengal tiger abandoned by her mother shortly after birth, celebrated her second birthday at the Shanghai Zoo on Monday, drawing crowds of adoring fans. Born in August 2024 and weighing a mere 1,200 grams, the tiny cub was discovered by zoo staff nestled inside a cardboard box labeled "brown sugar twist", a popular Chinese pastry that inspired her name. What began as a fight for survival has since become one of the zoo's most heartwarming success stories. Hand-raised by dedicated zoo keepers from day one, Hongtang has grown into the zoo's biggest celebrity, amassing an ever-growing fanbase. Zoo keepers began preparations for her birthday party at the crack of dawn, filling her enclosure with toys and a towering ice cake lavishly topped with slabs of fresh beef. As soon as the gates opened, eager fans from across the city rushed to the glass walls of her habitat to wish their furry idol a happy birthday. "We woke up at six this morning and got here by seven. I come to every single one of her birthday parties," said one young visitor, beaming with excitement. For many others, Hongtang feels like family. "She's just as adorable as the cat we have at home. She was born right here in Shanghai, so all of us 'aunties' have basically watched her grow up," one fan said. "Sometimes she sticks out her little tongue, and it's just the cutest thing. I hope she stays lively and happy forever, living a carefree life," said another fan.
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