In an exciting turn of events, the city of Hong Kong finds itself once again caught up in a fervor over the introduction of its first-ever locally-born giant panda cubs, who have recently reached the milestone of six months of age. The buzz surrounding these adorable creatures has sparked a competition among residents to christen the twin cubs, born on August 15 last year. The naming contest was officially launched over the weekend, marked by a joyous ceremony that saw prominent figures such as Hong Kong leader John Lee and other dignitaries in attendance at Ocean Park. This beloved theme park serves as the home to the twin cubs, along with their parents and two other giant pandas that were brought over from mainland China just the previous year. Residents eager to partake in this naming spectacle can now submit their suggestions through the park’s designated website.
Acknowledging the significance of this addition to the city, Lee highlighted Hong Kong’s now notable status as housing the largest population of pandas in captivity outside of mainland China. He further announced that the official names of the twin cubs would be disclosed within the first half of this year. The pair, currently identified simply as the “Elder Sister” and the “Little Brother,” are set to make their grand public debut on Sunday, and will be available for visitors to meet for five hours each day. Moreover, for those seeking a more exclusive encounter with the cubs outside of regular visiting hours, a special program is offered at a fee of 1,500 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $190).
During a preview session held for the media, the male cub was observed reclining on a swing, amusing himself with a tree stick before being gently guided onto a slide by one of the caretakers. Meanwhile, the female cub was seen exploring her enclosure with curiosity, eventually finding her way up onto a tree. Notably, the caregivers noted that the female cub demonstrated a higher level of activity in comparison to her male counterpart. While she displayed a fondness for climbing and resting in the enclosure’s trees, her brother seemed more inclined towards playful exploration among the plants. To differentiate between the two, the male cub has been marked with two purple food-coloring spots on his back.
The birth of these panda cubs last year marked a significant milestone for their mother, Ying Ying, who earned the distinction of being the world’s oldest first-time panda mother. Their endearing presence has not only captured the hearts of locals but has also generated considerable attention on social media, sparking optimism for a potential boost in tourism for the city. Authorities have encouraged businesses to leverage this panda fascination as a means to seize opportunities within what some lawmakers have coined as the “panda economy.”
Ocean Park’s chairman, Paulo Pong, shared insights with the press on the park’s recent financial performance, noting an increase in revenue during the Christmas season and Lunar New Year holiday. This positive
