The picture shows the giant panda "Ying Ying" in Ocean Park (file photo)
Today (July 1) is a joyous day for the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government announced today that the Central Government has once again donated two giant pandas to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to settle in Ocean Park. Ocean Park is honoured and looks forward to working with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to prepare for the arrival of the new giant pandas.
Giant pandas have been Ocean Park's most popular animal ambassadors, bringing precious memories to more than 55 million visitors from both local and global generations, since 1999.
The Chairman of Ocean Park Corporation, Mr Pang Kin Yi, thanked the Central Government and the HKSAR Government for their trust in entrusting Ocean Park with the responsibility of caring for the National Treasure. (Ocean Park Photo)
According to Ocean Park Corporation's Chairman, Pang Jianyi, the giant pandas Jia Jia and An An, as well as Ying Ying and Le Le, arrived in Hong Kong in 1999 and 2007 respectively, and can be said to have grown up with the HKSAR. This year, the Central Government has once again presented giant pandas to the HKSAR, and it is of great significance that they will join hands with Ying Ying and Lok Le to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with residents and visitors. Ocean Park would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to the Central Government and the HKSAR Government for their trust in entrusting the Park team with the responsibility of caring for the National Treasure.
An An, a giant panda in Ocean Park. (Ocean Park Photo)
Ocean Park's Giant Panda Yingying. (Ocean Park Photo)
Ocean Park giant panda Jia Jia. (Ocean Park Photo)
Ocean Park giant panda Lele. (Ocean Park Photo)
Pang pointed out that the addition of the new giant panda will not only enrich Hong Kong's tourism resources, but also enhance the coverage and depth of Ocean Park's conservation and education work. As an important giant panda conservation base outside of Sichuan, Ocean Park has been sparing no effort in the in-situ and ex situ conservation of giant panda species, including species care, medicine, scientific research and community education. Ocean Park's educational activities accompany the growth of children and students in Hong Kong, and giant pandas are an integral part of them. In addition to promoting science popularization and ecological conservation, Ocean Park has also organised a number of panda-themed study tours and cultural exchange programmes between Sichuan and Hong Kong. The two giant pandas that are about to come will surely add strength and international light to Ocean Park's conservation and education efforts.
Ocean Park has been recognised for its world-class animal care and conservation capabilities. The park has set two household records – Jiajia the giant panda is the world's longest-lived giant panda under human care, and An An has set the record for the world's longest-lived male giant panda under human care. Ocean Park has also been awarded the status of "Sichuan Provincial Nature Conservation Base" by the Sichuan Provincial Government in recognition of the Park's contribution to the conservation of giant pandas.
According to Ocean Park, the giant panda is one of the most successful conservation cases in the world, and the international Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has downgraded the panda's threat status from "endangered" to "vulnerable" thanks to the country's efforts over the years. With fewer than 1,900 giant pandas left in the wild, Ocean Park is calling on the public to continue to support their conservation efforts.