Orangutan Maodou tries Laba porridge with a spoon. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Despite the cold sweeping through Hangzhou, warmth filled Hangzhou Safari Park on Jan 26 as animals got a taste of the Laba Festival, celebrated on the eighth day of the last lunar month, referring to the traditional start of celebrations for the Chinese New Year.

Caretakers prepared special Laba treats for the animals, turning the day into a lively, heartwarming food show.

Caretakers showed orangutan Maodou how to use a spoon to eat Laba porridge and garlic. Maodou gave it a try, but quickly ditched the utensils, diving in with both hands and devouring pumpkin bowls with gusto, amusing onlookers.

Red pandas devour their Laba porridge. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Meanwhile, the red pandas enjoyed a more delicate feast: bamboo bowls of egg-oat porridge topped with carrot, apple, and red dates. Qiqi, Lele, and Beibei eagerly dug in, while the shyest and greediest, Dabao, lingered for apples before finally sampling the porridge.

The animals' playful antics not only charmed visitors but also added warmth and joy to a chilly winter day.

The Laba porridge served to red pandas. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]