Tiger 'Brown Sugar' a big celebrity at Shanghai Zoo

Shanghai Zoo's tiger enclosure was packed with visitors during the three-day holiday, as crowds flocked to catch a glimpse of its newest star: a female Bengal tiger named Hong Tang, or Brown Sugar.

Born in August last year, the 8-month-old tiger has drawn thousands of visitors each day, according to He Weiguang, who works at the zoo's publicity department. Even non-locals traveled to Shanghai just to see her.

Due to crowd management measures, visitors waited in line for about an hour for a brief 10-minute glimpse of Brown Sugar. Many have compared her to a large domestic cat with a golden gradient, citing her playful demeanor and innocent expression. The tiger is energetic and occasionally interacts with visitors through the glass, according to the zoo.

A hashtag featuring Brown Sugar has gained nearly 13 million views on social media, with thousands of likes on high-quality photos and videos. One Shanghai-based social media user, who goes by the username Mianhuatang, has visited the tiger four times and frequently shares photos and videos online.

"The tiger is as sweet as her name. Seeing her makes me feel healed," she wrote in a post.

Merchandise products featuring Brown Sugar, including postcards and cushions, have become popular with visitors.

Brown Sugar's closeness with people is linked to her unique upbringing. Abandoned by her mother at birth, she was raised by human caregivers. Thanks to the zoo's artificial rearing techniques, she has survived and thrived.

"To meet her growth needs and accommodate the influx of visitors, Brown Sugar was moved to a larger enclosure in the carnivore exhibition area in March," He said.

On March 24, the zoo organized a team of volunteers to decorate the tiger's new enclosure, installing new facilities and conducting disinfection.

"It's not just a measure to improve the animals' living conditions; it also reflects the harmonious coexistence between humans and animals," said Xu Feng, one of the volunteers. "I hope more people will join in caring for animals and help protect these lovely creatures."

The tiger's new enclosure features a large grassy area and various enrichment facilities designed to cater to her instincts, He said. While Brown Sugar seems comfortable around people, He reminded visitors to remain quiet and avoid using cat teasers or tapping on the glass to provoke the tiger.

Animal attractions such as zoos and wildlife habitats have become increasingly popular among tourists, in addition to traditional scenic spots.

For example, a curly-haired duck at Xuanwu Lake in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, has gained fame for its unique appearance, attracting visitors to purchase duck-themed merchandise.

From pandas in Sichuan province to Brown Sugar in Shanghai, more "animal celebrities" are emerging across China. Viral photos and videos of these animals are drawing more visitors while also raising awareness of wildlife protection. Many social media users have shared information about the animals and reminded others to behave responsibly while visiting them.