USA: PANDA HSING-HSING CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARRIVAL IN US

English/Nat He might be aging, a little arthritic, with eye problems and facing surgery, but Hsing- Hsing the giant panda had a lot to celebrate Wednesday. It was 25 years to the day that Hsing-Hsing and his partner, Ling-Ling, arrived in Washington, a gift from China following President Nixon's ice-breaking trip to Beijing. And the National Zoo had laid on a special party - and a giant blueberry muffin cake - for the furry creature. Hsing-Hsing is probably the most famous zoo resident in the United States. He and his mate Ling-Ling were presented to the people of the United States as a symbol of friendship and goodwill by the people of China in 1972. Ling-Ling passed away in 1992, but Hsing-Hsing is still wooing the crowds, like he has done for the past 25 years. Approximately 75 (m) million people have visited the giant panda exhibition since 1972. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Today is the day that 25 years ago the giant panda has arrived at the National Zoo, and we're celebrating 25 years of research and successful management here at the National Zoo." SUPER CAPTION: Lisa Stevens, Assistant Curator, Mammals Of course there was a special treat for Hsing-Hsing. A large blueberry muffin anniversary cake waited for him on the green hillside. First he finished off his normal daily fare: bamboo and a gruel of rice, honey, cottage cheese and vitamin and mineral supplements. As the panda munched away, zoo officials unveiled a commemorative plaque. Hsing-Hsing paid little interest - like "birthday boys" all over the world, he was more interested in his special treat. And eventually he whacked his anniversary cake in half and wolfed it down. SOUNDBITE: (English) "He loves blueberries and we've kind of whipped up this concussion of the cake and hopefully he'll enjoy it." SUPER CAPTION: Lisa Stevens, Assistant Curator, Mammals Clearly, there is nothing wrong with the panda's appetite - but his health condition could be better. National Zoo veterinarians have diagnosed Hsing-Hsing as suffering from testicular cancer. Surgery for the giant panda is scheduled for later in the month. The cancer does not seem to cause Hsing-Hsing any discomfort and it is expected that the panda will make a speedy recovery from the surgery. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/6da85e61fbe35c121e2b6f1d2782ef88 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork