Ocean Park today hosted a fashion party to celebrate the birthdays of the Park’s three giant pandas, An An, Ying Ying and Le Le. Turning the remarkable age of 31 this year, An An has officially become the world’s oldest male giant panda under human care. The Park today also shared updates on the breeding efforts of Ying Ying and Le Le, who are turning 12 years old this year. As this year marks both the 40th anniversary of Ocean Park and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Park is launching a “buy-2-get-1-free” promotion in August, the pandas’ birthday month, to encourage guests to create even more memorable in-park experiences with the adorable pandas, who have grown up with the people of Hong Kong.
Matthias Li, Chief Executive of Ocean Park, said, “Today’s birthday party is a grand celebration for the HKSAR, the Park, and our beloved giant pandas, especially An An who is now the world’s oldest male giant panda under human care. To sustain the festivities throughout August, from tomorrow until 27 August, local residents will be able to enjoy an exclusive ‘Buy-2-get-1-free’ ticket promotion. By presenting a valid proof of identity, local residents can receive a child (aged 3-11) ticket for free upon the purchase of two adult admission tickets at the Ocean Park Ticketing Office and website. The free child ticket must be used on the date of redemption, together with the two paid adult tickets.”
The Park today also shared updates on the annual giant panda breeding season. During this year’s four-day breeding season for giant pandas Ying Ying and Le Le, they have been put together for four natural mating opportunities. Natural mating attempts were observed but were unsuccessful. This year, China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda has arranged Dr. Huang Yan, Director of Scientific Research and Animal Management Department, and Dr. Wang Chengdong, Director of Veterinary Service, to take part in the breeding exercise in March. With their advice, Ocean Park has utilised Le Le’s fresh semen and An An’s frozen semen to artificially inseminate Ying Ying four times to supplement the natural mating attempts.
Howard Chuk, Senior Curator of Terrestrial Life Sciences of Ocean Park, said, “Since early July, Ying Ying has started displaying some typical pregnancy symptoms, including reduced food intake, increased resting time, a swollen vulva, and corresponding hormonal changes, whilst there is always a chance that she is experiencing a pseudo-pregnancy. We will continue to work closely with the experts to follow Ying Ying’s conditions, and we hope to bring some good news to the people of Hong Kong this year.”
The Giant Panda Adventure exhibit will be reopened to public after Ying Ying successfully gives birth to a panda cub, or if it is confirmed that she is not pregnant. During the closure, guests may visit An An at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures.
The giant panda birthday party kicked-off with two catwalk performances that showcased 26 shortlisted giant panda graphic T-shirt designs that were submitted by Hong Kong residents through the ‘Made in Hong Kong’ Giant Panda T-shirt Design Competition held in May this year, and 10 giant-panda-themed sustainable fashion showpieces, designed by students from the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) – all highlighting the threats faced by the giant pandas and the importance of conservation work. Winners of the top three T-shirt designs and five best fashion showpieces were announced at today’s ceremony by the judges, including Mr. Ron Leung, Chairman of Hong Kong Designers Association; Ms. Cynthia Leung, General Manager of Corporate Affairs of Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB); Mr. William To, Director of Creative and Programme of PMQ Management Co. Ltd (PMQ); Ms. Janet Ma, Hong Kong top model; Ms. May Leung, Chief Operating Officer of Lawsgroup; Ms. Celine Cheung, Executive Director of Design and Planning of Ocean Park; Ms. Vivian Lee, Executive Director of Business Development and Education of Ocean Park; and Mr. Gavin Lam, Senior Retail Operations Manager of Ocean Park. Mr. Matthias Li, Chief Executive of Ocean Park and Mr. Howard Chuk, Senior Curator of Terrestrial Life Sciences of Ocean Park were also in attendance at the award presentation ceremony.
To spread the word on conservation and sustainable living, the 26 giant panda T-shirts will be displayed at PMQ and at the Giant Panda Museum, co-organised by Ocean Park and Lawsgroup, at D2 Place TWO after today’s fashion show. The T-shirts will also be available for purchase at D2 Place TWO, HKTDC Design Gallery, HKTB’s Visitor Centre at Tsim Sha Tsui, and Ocean Park’s souvenir shops*. Part of the revenue will be donated to the Design Council of Hong Kong by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries to support the local design community, and to Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong, to advance conservation work for giant pandas. The 10 giant-panda-themed sustainable fashion showpieces will be displayed next to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures exhibit at Ocean Park from 2-15 August, and at the Giant Panda Museum at D2 Place TWO from 17-31 August.
Remarks: Special thanks to Häagen-Dazs for sponsoring an icy birthday cake for giant panda An An.
* Selling arrangements for ‘Made in Hong Kong’ Giant Panda T-shirt
Matthias Li, Chief Executive of Ocean Park, said, “Today’s birthday party is a grand celebration for the HKSAR, the Park, and our beloved giant pandas, especially An An who is now the world’s oldest male giant panda under human care. To sustain the festivities throughout August, from tomorrow until 27 August, local residents will be able to enjoy an exclusive ‘Buy-2-get-1-free’ ticket promotion. By presenting a valid proof of identity, local residents can receive a child (aged 3-11) ticket for free upon the purchase of two adult admission tickets at the Ocean Park Ticketing Office and website. The free child ticket must be used on the date of redemption, together with the two paid adult tickets.”
The Park today also shared updates on the annual giant panda breeding season. During this year’s four-day breeding season for giant pandas Ying Ying and Le Le, they have been put together for four natural mating opportunities. Natural mating attempts were observed but were unsuccessful. This year, China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda has arranged Dr. Huang Yan, Director of Scientific Research and Animal Management Department, and Dr. Wang Chengdong, Director of Veterinary Service, to take part in the breeding exercise in March. With their advice, Ocean Park has utilised Le Le’s fresh semen and An An’s frozen semen to artificially inseminate Ying Ying four times to supplement the natural mating attempts.
Howard Chuk, Senior Curator of Terrestrial Life Sciences of Ocean Park, said, “Since early July, Ying Ying has started displaying some typical pregnancy symptoms, including reduced food intake, increased resting time, a swollen vulva, and corresponding hormonal changes, whilst there is always a chance that she is experiencing a pseudo-pregnancy. We will continue to work closely with the experts to follow Ying Ying’s conditions, and we hope to bring some good news to the people of Hong Kong this year.”
The Giant Panda Adventure exhibit will be reopened to public after Ying Ying successfully gives birth to a panda cub, or if it is confirmed that she is not pregnant. During the closure, guests may visit An An at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures.
The giant panda birthday party kicked-off with two catwalk performances that showcased 26 shortlisted giant panda graphic T-shirt designs that were submitted by Hong Kong residents through the ‘Made in Hong Kong’ Giant Panda T-shirt Design Competition held in May this year, and 10 giant-panda-themed sustainable fashion showpieces, designed by students from the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) – all highlighting the threats faced by the giant pandas and the importance of conservation work. Winners of the top three T-shirt designs and five best fashion showpieces were announced at today’s ceremony by the judges, including Mr. Ron Leung, Chairman of Hong Kong Designers Association; Ms. Cynthia Leung, General Manager of Corporate Affairs of Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB); Mr. William To, Director of Creative and Programme of PMQ Management Co. Ltd (PMQ); Ms. Janet Ma, Hong Kong top model; Ms. May Leung, Chief Operating Officer of Lawsgroup; Ms. Celine Cheung, Executive Director of Design and Planning of Ocean Park; Ms. Vivian Lee, Executive Director of Business Development and Education of Ocean Park; and Mr. Gavin Lam, Senior Retail Operations Manager of Ocean Park. Mr. Matthias Li, Chief Executive of Ocean Park and Mr. Howard Chuk, Senior Curator of Terrestrial Life Sciences of Ocean Park were also in attendance at the award presentation ceremony.
To spread the word on conservation and sustainable living, the 26 giant panda T-shirts will be displayed at PMQ and at the Giant Panda Museum, co-organised by Ocean Park and Lawsgroup, at D2 Place TWO after today’s fashion show. The T-shirts will also be available for purchase at D2 Place TWO, HKTDC Design Gallery, HKTB’s Visitor Centre at Tsim Sha Tsui, and Ocean Park’s souvenir shops*. Part of the revenue will be donated to the Design Council of Hong Kong by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries to support the local design community, and to Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong, to advance conservation work for giant pandas. The 10 giant-panda-themed sustainable fashion showpieces will be displayed next to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures exhibit at Ocean Park from 2-15 August, and at the Giant Panda Museum at D2 Place TWO from 17-31 August.
Remarks: Special thanks to Häagen-Dazs for sponsoring an icy birthday cake for giant panda An An.
* Selling arrangements for ‘Made in Hong Kong’ Giant Panda T-shirt
| Outlets | Selling Period | Styles |
| D2 Place TWO | 10-31 August | Full collection |
| HKTDC Design Gallery | Mid-August to October | Selected styles |
| HKTB’s Visitor Centre at Tsim Sha Tsui | Mid-August to Mid-September | Selected styles |
| Ocean Park’s souvenir shops | August to November | Full collection |
