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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today announced that the Central Government will present two new giant pandas to Hong Kong, and the HKSAR Government has selected Ocean Park to house these national treasures. Ocean Park is immensely honoured by this privilege and eagerly looks forward to collaborating closely with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to prepare for their arrival.
“Giant pandas Jia Jia and An An, Ying Ying and Le Le arrived in Hong Kong in 1999 and 2007 respectively, and grew up with the HKSAR. The Central Government’s gift of another two giant pandas to the HKSAR this year is tremendously significant. Together with Ying Ying and Le Le, the new giant pandas will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with Hong Kong citizens and tourists. Ocean Park is deeply grateful for the trust placed in us by the Central Government and the HKSAR Government to care for our national treasures,” said Paulo Pong, Chairman of Ocean Park Corporation.
Giant pandas have always been Ocean Park's most beloved animal ambassadors. Since 1999, they have brought countless precious and joyful memories to over 55 million visitors from Hong Kong and around the world, spanning different generations.
Paulo Pong continued, “The arrival of the new giant pandas will not only enhance Hong Kong’s tourism appeal, but also expand the breadth and depth of Ocean Park’s conservation and education work. As an important giant panda conservation base outside of Sichuan, Ocean Park has always been unwavering in its efforts towards in-situ and ex-situ giant panda conservation, including species care, medical science, research, and community education. Ocean Park’s educational initiatives have been integral to young people’s learning and development in Hong Kong, and the giant pandas play a critical role. Beyond promoting popular science and ecological conservation, Ocean Park has also developed various field trips and cultural exchange programmes themed around giant pandas. These two highly anticipated new giant panda animal ambassadors will undoubtedly add strength and international acclaim to Ocean Park’s conservation and education initiatives.”
Ocean Park’s world-class animal care and conservation capabilities have long been widely recognised. The Park has a rich history with giant pandas and once set two global records in giant panda care: Jia Jia, the oldest giant panda to have lived under human care, and An An, the world’s longest-living male giant panda in human care.
Ocean Park has been awarded the qualification of “Sichuan Provincial Nature Conservation Base” by the Sichuan Provincial Government, recognising the Park's contributions to giant panda conservation.
Since 1999, Ocean Park has maintained close collaboration with giant panda experts in Sichuan, sharing knowledge and data on giant panda care. The caretakers from both places also regularly conduct exchanges. Since 2005, Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong has supported over 90 conservation projects related to wildlife giant pandas in the areas of scientific research, capacity building, and community education. This included the Giant Panda Base Rebuilding Fund established after the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008. In addition to on-site facilities and professional interpretive, the Park provided 18 education activities related to giant pandas or Sichuan during the 2023–2024 fiscal year for participants of different ages and needs.
Giant panda is one of the most successful conservation cases globally. With the continuous efforts of the country over the years, the wild population of giant pandas has gradually increased, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has downgraded the threat level of the giant panda from “Endangered” to “Vulnerable”. However, there are currently less than 1,900 wild giant pandas, and each one is invaluable. Please continue to support giant panda conservation efforts.
