In Heilongjiang, zoo animals get custom feast

To welcome the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, which falls on Monday, breeders at Harbin Northern Forest Zoo in Heilongjiang province prepared a festival feast, complete with various zongzi, for different animals at the zoo.

Zongzi is a traditional dish made from a glutinous rice shell stuffed with various fillings as a dumpling. It is wrapped in bamboo leaves for cooking.

Based on the animals' daily diet, they selected items that are both medicinal and nutritious, combining seasonal fruits, vegetables, mixed grains, eggs and meat to create unique and delicious health-enhancing meals.

For instance, the zongzi for brown bears were made of honey and grain, using burdock leaves as the wrapper. Burdock contains various vitamins and minerals essential for animals. It is beneficial for the throat.

The zongzi for wolves consisted of beef, lamb, pork and chicken wrapped in large leaves to create a meaty surprise.

They chose the leaves, which are well known for their nutritional value, heat-clearing, detoxification, intestinal lubrication and insect-killing effects.

Breeders utilized the different effects of plants to tailor the health-enhancing zongzi based on individual animal needs and strengthen the animals' immunity before the arrival of the hot summer.

It can also enrich the daily lives of zoo animals and give them an agreeable holiday season.