World's oldest panda turns 37 with specially-made cake

HONG KONG, July 28 (UPI) -- A Hong Kong zoo's giant panda celebrated her 37th birthday by being dubbed the oldest-ever panda in captivity and eating a specially-made cake.

Jia Jia, a resident at Ocean Park in Hong Kong, celebrated her 37th birthday at the zoo Tuesday and was awarded Guinness World Records for being the oldest panda living in captivity and the oldest-ever panda in captivity.

Jia Jia, born July 28, 1978, has far exceeded the average panda lifespan of 25 years and Paolo Martelli, the park's head veterinarian, said the panda's long life can be partially attributed to good genes.

"Some animals are part of a good stock, and we can assume that Jia Jia got lucky in her genetic make-up," he told CNN.

Jia Jia was treated to a Guinness-themed birthday cake made from ice, grenadine, mint syrup and apple.