(19 March 2007, Hong Kong) Starting from 31 March to 6 May, 2007 Ocean Park springs to “wildlife” with “Ocean Park Animal Close Encounters”, which is set to be a must-go event throughout the Easter season and Golden Week. To promote the conservation cause, an interactive fun-fact quiz will be stationed throughout the park, with fabulous prizes to be won, and a whole new selection of unique animal close encounter experience packages will be launched, for our guests to enjoy sleeping and dining among our different animal ambassadors.
This year’s Animal Close Encounters events will surely bring out the adventurous Explorer in you, enabling you to interact with rare and exotic animals in their original habitats! From the Arctic plains to Pacific waters, exotic jungles to mystic mountains, our “wild” guests will show you the wonders of nature and the importance of conservation in an up-close and personal way that you can only experience here at Ocean Park.
Dare to experience Ocean Park Glacial Animal Encounter at our four spectacular hotspots? Brave the cold and visit Arctic Action, a special zone chilled at a constant 15 degrees, to meet the first-ever Arctic Foxes and Artic Wolves to set foot in Hong Kong! As the result of a special collaboration between Dalian Sun Asia and Ocean Park, a collection of arctic foxes and arctic wolves will make an exclusive appearance at the park during Animal Close Encounters.
At our second hotspot, guests can venture deep into the ocean at Aquatic Extremes to marvel at the never-ending tentacles of the Giant Pacific Octopus, the Giant Spider Crab, and the adorable Sea Angels, as they spread their tiny wings and “fly” through the water. Amphibian Kingdom will offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the largest group of “amphibian VIPs” to visit Hong Kong, featuring slippery, slimy yet endlessly-intriguing creatures, from the African Bull Frog to the Anderson Crocodile Newt.
And last but not least is the Fluffy Animal Village marquee with 10 different kinds of furry rabbits and friends who simply can’t wait to meet you! In addition to photo-opportunities with the docile “Easter Bunny” and other cute and cuddly celebrities, guests can also try to feed them. Guests are also invited to visit Doggie Training School to catch a team of talented canines in action, and pick up some tips on how to be a responsible and caring pet owner.
Learning can definitely be fun at Ocean Park, and we hope to inspire our next generation to make a difference by promoting the conservation cause. In fact, Ocean Park encourages every young guest to be a conservation ambassador at the Green Earth Academy at Kids’ World. In addition to arts and crafts workshops and puppet shows, children will be able to learn about global warming and how it affects the wildlife habitat. They will even be awarded a special “Green Magic” souvenir for their efforts towards protecting the environment!
What’s more, an interactive game called Explore the Nature will be stationed throughout the park. This fact-finding quest includes questions on our featured animals and how Global Warming affects their survival, and participants can answer by sending SMSs to a designated number. In addition to being entitled to the chance of winning fabulous grand prizes at the Ocean Park Animal Conservation Month Lucky Draw, those who take part in the game will earn a badge that qualifies them as a conservation ambassador, and enjoy exclusive privileges and discounts at the Park.
For the ultimate Animal Close Encounters program, Ocean Park introduces four individual once-in-a-lifetime packages for guests to eat, sleep and meet our best-loved star residents at the Park. Aqua Camp is the first program in the history of the park offering parents and children the chance to spend the night “submerged” in a deep sea environment at the Atoll Reef, followed by Green Art activities at Ocean Park’s newly-opened SkyFair!!
Breakfast at Ocean Theatre will also be offered, and promises to be a rare treat for guests to start the day with a refreshing poolside breakfast surrounded by lively dolphins waiting to show off their talents, and then take photos with Whiskers. For the Honorary Sea Lion Keeper Program, guests can “shadow” our sea lion trainers and gain hands-on experience on taking care of the precious sea lions, along with a lesson on their natural biology and fantastic photo opportunity!
And last but not least, we have tailored a VIP package called Sea Jelly Exploration with Meal at Bayview, featuring an exclusive behind-the-scene tour of Sea Jelly Spectacular followed by a sumptuous meal at the Bayview Restaurant, overlooking the peaceful South China Sea.
“Ocean Park has always provided visitors the opportunity to learn more about animals and conservation. ‘Ocean Park Animals Close Encounters’ is an ideal opportunity to promote animal conservation by giving guests the chance to interact with animals, like the first Arctic Foxes to ever set foot in Hong Kong. We’re also centering on the theme of Global Warming to raise awareness by sharing a positive and educational message on the topic, and encourage people to do their part to protect the earth. Ocean Park have been active in many environmental initiatives, such as having recycling stations for paper, plastics and aluminum, replacing diesel and gasoline vehicles with environmentally friendly vehicles, organizing special events such as Animal Conservation Month, World Environment Day in June, and the International Coastal Cleanup in October,” said Mr. Tom Mehrmann, Chief Executive of Ocean Park.
Ocean Park Animal Close Encounters is open from 31 March to 6 May 2007. Attractions include Glacial Animal Encounter, Amphibian Kingdom, Fluffy Animal Village, Green Earth Academy and Explore the Nature. Admissions are HK$185 for adults and HK$93 for children (3-11 years of age). For further details please visit www.oceanpark.com,Alternatively after March 20, please call our hotline on 3128 8122.
Special package deals are available on designated dates for programs such as Aqua Camp, Breakfast at Ocean Theatre, Honorary Sea Lion Keeper Programme and Sea Jelly Exploration with Meal at The Bayview Restaurant. Part of these programs’ revenue goes to Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong to support its wildlife conservation projects. These programs are only held on designated dates. For further enquiries, please call our customer service hotline on 3128 8122.
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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.
