Around 10h, many visitors gathered in front of the pony enclosure, waiting to join the birthday and one-month celebration party for the pony family members.

This time, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden celebrated the one-month milestone for the pony named Ca Cao (the smallest in the previous photo) and the third birthday for his older brother Vu Sua (the next photo). Ca Cao, a pony, was born on 11/3, and Vu Sua on 13/4. Both are offspring of the father pony Van Mai and mother Thi Mai, both born in 2015.

Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden staff prepared a birthday cake along with food made from vegetables and roots. The cake display area attracted many visitors for "check-ins". Pham Hoang Quynh Anh, a hoof care technician, stated that "pony" is a general term for horse breeds with a height under 1,47 m that have been domesticated. Ponies eat roots but can also be supplemented with vegetables such as carrots, apples, and corn. However, due to their susceptibility to obesity, their diet needs to be controlled.

Ca Cao was prepared with a special meal, and gifts included a photo frame and a baby bottle model to celebrate his one-month milestone.

Jun Ho, 32, was the invited guest allowed into the enclosure to present birthday and one-month celebration cakes to the pony brothers. Most of the audience watched from outside, joining in to mark this new milestone in the lives of Ca Cao and Vu Sua.

Jun Ho is a South Korean content creator who has lived in Vietnam for 7 years. He posts many videos about Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, attracting significant engagement. "I am very happy to attend an animal birthday celebration for the first time. Even happier that today is also my birthday, and the zoo gave me a gift," Jun Ho said.

Ca Cao has brown fur like his father, with white markings on his legs like his mother. At birth, the pony weighed about 12 kg; it currently weighs 21 kg, with a height and body length of 65 cm and 51 cm respectively. After one month, Ca Cao has developed well, is agile, enjoys running and jumping, and has adapted well to its environment.

Older brother Vu Sua has brown fur and is nearly three times the size of Ca Cao. Staff describe Vu Sua as playful, friendly, and very attached to his parents and younger brother.

The Sulcata tortoise family, "neighbors" sharing the enclosure with the pony family, also joined in the celebration.

An Nguyen, 8, (right) was excited to enter the enclosure to celebrate the birthday and feed the ponies.

Outside, a clown continuously entertained, enlivening the atmosphere. The audience enjoyed taking photos and singing birthday songs.

The pony family has long been a familiar stop for locals, especially children. Ca Cao's arrival has helped Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden attract more visitors.

At the same time, the zoo also celebrated the 9th birthday of a hyena named "Banh Mi" (born 13/4). According to Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, this hyena loves to eat bread (banh mi), hence its name. Due to many people surrounding its enclosure, the animal hid in the bushes. Hyenas are carnivorous animals that primarily live in Africa. They have strong forebodies and powerful jaws. Breeding and conservation activities for rare animal species at Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden contribute to raising community awareness about protecting endangered wild animals. *Quynh Tran*