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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 BIRTHDAY SLIDESHOW 
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Tai Shan Turns 4

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(Newser) – Tai Shan, the giant panda who captivated the world as a cub, turned 4 today and celebrated with a huge birthday cake only an animal could love. The three-tiered concoction was a frozen medley of water, beet juice, shredded beets, and bamboo, WTOP reports. Tai Shan, who is now considered a teenager in "bear years," is scheduled to head to China in 2010 under the terms of the breeding program that brought his parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, to the US from their native land.

Tai Shan licks his birthday cake on his fourth birthday today at the zoo in Washington. He is considered a teenager in
Tai Shan licks his birthday cake on his fourth birthday today at the zoo in Washington. He is considered a teenager in "bear years."   (AP Photo/Smithsonian National Zoo, Mehgan Murphy)
Tai Shan enjoys his birthday cake at the National Zoo. The zoo held an event today to celebrate the panda's 4th birthday with a frozen cake made from water, bamboo, shredded beets, and beet juice.
Tai Shan enjoys his birthday cake at the National Zoo. The zoo held an event today to celebrate the panda's 4th birthday with a frozen cake made from water, bamboo, shredded beets, and beet juice.   (Getty Images)
Giant panda Tai Shan checks out his birthday cake today at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.
Giant panda Tai Shan checks out his birthday cake today at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
Celebrity giant panda Tai Shan has no candles to blow out--his 4th birthday cake is an icy mix of water, beets, beet juice, and bamboo.
Celebrity giant panda Tai Shan has no candles to blow out--his 4th birthday cake is an icy mix of water, beets, beet juice, and bamboo.   (Getty Images)
Adorable 4-year-old Tai Shan investigates his birthday cake today at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.
Adorable 4-year-old Tai Shan investigates his birthday cake today at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
Tai Shan checks out his birthday cake, a concoction of beets, beet juice, water and bamboo, today at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.
Tai Shan checks out his birthday cake, a concoction of beets, beet juice, water and bamboo, today at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.   (Getty Images)
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Deebles
Jul 9, 09 10:10 PM CDT
Tropic Thunder--Ben Stiller. You know you thought of it. Reply
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Jul 10, 09 1:18 AM CDT
His food is so beautiful Reply
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