Heartwarming footage captured on Friday features Svetlana Akulova, the CEO of Moscow Zoo, surprising Katyusha, the little panda cub with delightful Chinese New Year gifts. The little one was pleasantly astonished with a finely crafted dragon figure made of bamboo and a special 'cake' filled with her most favourite treats.

The celebration continued on Saturday, where a contented Katyusha was captured on video savouring the delectable New Year's Eve dishes.

"While visitors were waiting for Katyusha on their side... she was unboxing presents," commented Svetlana Akulova in her Telegram channel.

The female panda cub, born in August the previous year, was named 'Katyusha' through a public vote on Moscow city's online portal, inspired by the popular Russian folk song.

Katyusha's parents, Ding Ding and Ruyi, were brought to Moscow from Beijing in 2019. They are part of a scientific initiative aimed at preserving and breeding the rare giant panda species.

The 'Chinese Fauna' pavilion at the Moscow Zoo, where they reside, was inaugurated with the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Giant pandas, native to China, are a symbol of conservation efforts worldwide. Some of these pandas, including Ding Ding and Ruyi at Moscow Zoo, are part of a vital scientific initiative focused on preserving and breeding this rare species.

The Moscow administration reports the festive events on Chinese New Year in the city are scheduled to run until February 18.

Based on Russian President Vladimir Putin's order, the years 2024 and 2025 are proclaimed the Years of Russian and Chinese Culture.

The Chinese New Year is one of the most significant holidays in the country. Locals begin preparing for it weeks in advance, and the festivities can extend for over a fortnight. Each upcoming year is associated with its own animal, element, and colour. On February 10, the Chinese will celebrate the start of the Year of the Green Wood Dragon.