Birthdays are special. And giant pandas are rare, lovable creatures, so their special days are extra special.

Giant panda Tai Shan — who lives at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. — turned 4 on July 9. To mark the occasion, the zoo held a birthday bash, giving him a special, frozen panda "birthday cake" fashioned of water, bamboo, shredded beets, and beet juice.

Sound gross to you? That's fine. More cake for the birthday boy.