03:45Mandatory Credit: Ocean Park Hong Kong
A pair of giant pandas, An An and Ke Ke, arrived at Ocean Park in Hong Kong on Thursday, receiving a VIP welcome as a gift from Beijing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The pandas, both five years old, were transferred from Chengdu to the park, where eager panda enthusiasts gathered to witness their arrival.
Paulo Pong, Chairman of Ocean Park, expressed his gratitude for the smooth journey of the pandas and thanked the China Conservation and Research Center for its role in facilitating the transfer. Pong announced that with the addition of An An and Ke Ke, Ocean Park now houses a total of six giant pandas, making it the only location outside mainland China to host such a number in a single city.
"These two pandas will reside permanently at Ocean Park, and any cubs they have will also stay in Hong Kong," Pong remarked, emphasising the uniqueness of the arrangement.
Local media reported that An An and Ke Ke are expected to make their public debut in December, following a 30-day quarantine period to help them acclimatise to their new environment. An Ocean Park keeper has been stationed in Sichuan since July to familiarise the pandas with his presence, and a veterinarian from the conservation centre will assist in ensuring a smooth transition for the pandas over the next few months.
The arrival of An An and Ke Ke marks the third pair of giant pandas gifted to Hong Kong by the Central Government, following previous gifts in 1999 and 2007.
Chief Executive John Lee expressed his hope that the pandas would quickly adjust to their new home and reproduce, enhancing Hong Kong's tourism appeal and advancing Ocean Park’s conservation and educational efforts.
The pandas’ arrival coincides with significant anniversaries for Hong Kong, including the 27th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule.
Panda Monium! An An and Ke Ke arrive at Ocean Park, bringing cuteness and conservation to Hong Kong
A pair of giant pandas, An An and Ke Ke, arrived at Ocean Park in Hong Kong on Thursday, receiving a VIP welcome as a gift from Beijing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The pandas, both five years old, were transferred from Chengdu to the park, where eager panda enthusiasts gathered to witness their arrival.
Paulo Pong, Chairman of Ocean Park, expressed his gratitude for the smooth journey of the pandas and thanked the China Conservation and Research Center for its role in facilitating the transfer. Pong announced that with the addition of An An and Ke Ke, Ocean Park now houses a total of six giant pandas, making it the only location outside mainland China to host such a number in a single city.
"These two pandas will reside permanently at Ocean Park, and any cubs they have will also stay in Hong Kong," Pong remarked, emphasising the uniqueness of the arrangement.
Local media reported that An An and Ke Ke are expected to make their public debut in December, following a 30-day quarantine period to help them acclimatise to their new environment. An Ocean Park keeper has been stationed in Sichuan since July to familiarise the pandas with his presence, and a veterinarian from the conservation centre will assist in ensuring a smooth transition for the pandas over the next few months.
The arrival of An An and Ke Ke marks the third pair of giant pandas gifted to Hong Kong by the Central Government, following previous gifts in 1999 and 2007.
Chief Executive John Lee expressed his hope that the pandas would quickly adjust to their new home and reproduce, enhancing Hong Kong's tourism appeal and advancing Ocean Park’s conservation and educational efforts.
The pandas’ arrival coincides with significant anniversaries for Hong Kong, including the 27th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule.
Mandatory Credit: Ocean Park Hong Kong
A pair of giant pandas, An An and Ke Ke, arrived at Ocean Park in Hong Kong on Thursday, receiving a VIP welcome as a gift from Beijing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The pandas, both five years old, were transferred from Chengdu to the park, where eager panda enthusiasts gathered to witness their arrival.
Paulo Pong, Chairman of Ocean Park, expressed his gratitude for the smooth journey of the pandas and thanked the China Conservation and Research Center for its role in facilitating the transfer. Pong announced that with the addition of An An and Ke Ke, Ocean Park now houses a total of six giant pandas, making it the only location outside mainland China to host such a number in a single city.
"These two pandas will reside permanently at Ocean Park, and any cubs they have will also stay in Hong Kong," Pong remarked, emphasising the uniqueness of the arrangement.
Local media reported that An An and Ke Ke are expected to make their public debut in December, following a 30-day quarantine period to help them acclimatise to their new environment. An Ocean Park keeper has been stationed in Sichuan since July to familiarise the pandas with his presence, and a veterinarian from the conservation centre will assist in ensuring a smooth transition for the pandas over the next few months.
The arrival of An An and Ke Ke marks the third pair of giant pandas gifted to Hong Kong by the Central Government, following previous gifts in 1999 and 2007.
Chief Executive John Lee expressed his hope that the pandas would quickly adjust to their new home and reproduce, enhancing Hong Kong's tourism appeal and advancing Ocean Park’s conservation and educational efforts.
The pandas’ arrival coincides with significant anniversaries for Hong Kong, including the 27th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule.