(23 April 2007, Hong Kong) Ocean Park chairman, Dr. Allan Zeman, said that the Park is excited about the impending arrival of the two new pandas, and everyone at the Park is diligently preparing to welcome these national treasures to Hong Kong.
The two new young pandas are gifts to the Hong Kong people from the Central People’s Government to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Dr. Zeman said that preparation is proceeding well and according to schedule, and that the Park will provide regular updates.
Ocean Park. OCEAN PARK 26 APRIL 2007 GIANT PANDA DELIVERY FACT SHEET
A. Panda Arrival Preparation
8:30 am Transportation vehicles (with one standby) arrive at Ocean Park to be cleaned and disinfected.
About 2:00 pm The transportation vehicles leave Ocean Park and head for the Hong Kong International Airport upon confirmation that the plane carrying the two young pandas has taken off from Chengdu Airport.
About 2:30 to 3:00 pm The transportation vehicles arrive at the airport and stand by at area C22.
About 4:40 pm Estimated time of arrival for plane carrying the pandas
About 5:10 pm Unloading and loading of the pandas are complete. The transportation vehicles leave the airport for Ocean Park with police escort.
About 6:10 pm The pandas arrive at Ocean Park
B. Giant panda transportation crates
Item
Transportation Crate
Details
Specially designed for the delivery of the young pandas. Inside, the crate has flaps and observation screens that allow the veterinary team to feed and monitor the pandas.
Dimensions: 1.4m x 1.4m x 1.1m (h)
Livery
Please refer to the photographic renderings
C. Measures taken to prepare for the arrival of the giant pandas
Item
Quarantine area
Details:
The living area of the panda are separate, but with a door in the middle that allows the two pandas to choose to be together, or separate.
- Based on experts’ advice, the total activity and living area is over 500 m2
- 4 keepers will take turns monitoring and taking care of the new pandas, (while 5 keepers will take turn to maintain care and vigilance over An An and Jia Jia.)
- Two CCTVs will record their conditions at all times, in addition to existing ones monitoring An An and Jia Jia.
- The areas will be scrubbed down and disinfected 24 hours prior to the arrival of the new giant pandas.
- 60 kg of bamboo has been prepared for the four pandas
Quarantine
To commence immediately upon arrival with close monitoring by veterinary teams from Ocean Park and Wolong
D. Veterinary and Panda Keeper Teams
Team
Ocean Park veterinary team
Number
Four team members
Details
One Chief veterinarian and 3 veterinarians.
Team
Team from the Wolong Nature Reserve Centre
Number
Two members
Details
Both are veterinarians.
Panda Keeper Team
Number
Nine people
Details:
With an Animal Behaviour & Enrichment Manager, and panda keepers
E. Transportation Arrangements
Details: Provided by Crown Worldwide (HK)
Transportation vehicles
Toyota DYNA 5.5 tonne delivery truck, modified specially for the transportation of the giant pandas, with three seats and appropriate staunchions added for the accompanying veterinary team. A stand by truck also has the same specifications.
About Ocean Park
Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s unique home-grown theme park with a heritage of delivering family fun and fond memories. Since its opening in January 1977 as a non-profit organization, Ocean Park has developed itself to be a world-class attraction connecting people with nature, and recognized for its animal husbandry, research and relationship with the community. Over 80 million people have visited Hong Kong's premier park since its inception and Ocean Park has remained committed to offer adults and children experiences that blend entertainment with education and conservation.
