This is the adorable moment a zoo worker leaves a wrapped birthday gift for a Pallas's cat as it curiously sniffs it to figure out what it is.

Denis, a staff member at the Moscow Zoo in Russia, had prepared a quail to celebrate the animal's birthday on June 11.

The Pallas's cat, called Timofey can then be seen carefully sneaking out from behind a treetrunk, inspecting the package, and ripping it open with its paws.

After managing to reach the gift, the animal quickly ran to its den to enjoy it.

Moscow Zoo said: 'Today, the symbol and pride of the Moscow Zoo, Timofeythe Pallas' cat, celebrates its birthday.

'Timosha was born on June 11, 2020, at the Novosibirsk Zoo in the midst of a pandemic. Its mother's name is Lastochka, and its father's name is Zelenogorsk.

'A year later, in 2021, the Pallas's cat settled in the Moscow Zoo and soon became a people's favourite.

'Tens of thousands of subscribers on our social networks faithfully watch how easily our Pallas's cat gains weight by winter and how equally easily he loses weight in the spring.'

It added: 'And today, on its holiday, Timosha did not go unnoticed. Denis lovingly packed a quail for him.

'I carefully examined and sniffed the gift, and took a while to decide to unpack it.'