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Ocean Park Corporation announced the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Municipal Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, solidifying a long-term partnership aimed at advancing wildlife conservation, particularly for giant pandas, and fostering public education and environmental stewardship among the next generation across the Greater Bay Area.
The signing ceremony, held yesterday in Macao, saw representatives from both parties formalise the agreement, which builds upon a successful collaboration initiated in 2011 to ensure the highest standards of care for the giant pandas gifted by the Central Government to Hong Kong and Macao.
Ivan Wong, Chief Executive of Ocean Park Corporation, said, “This renewed partnership with the Municipal Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government is a landmark moment, not just for our two parties, but for the future of wildlife conservation across the Greater Bay Area. Hong Kong has participated in giant panda conservation and housed eight pandas since 1999 while Macao is now home to four pandas. This makes our collaboration even more vital, allowing for an unparalleled exchange of expertise in their care and breeding. For Ocean Park, this collaboration also means we are actively leveraging our expertise to become an influential regional hub for conservation and education.”
During the meeting, Chao Wai Ieng, Chairman of the Administration Committee on Municipal Affairs of the Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macao, welcomed representatives of Ocean Park Corporation. He expressed gratitude for Ocean Park Hong Kong’s continuous support and collaboration on giant panda conservation, highlighting how the exchange and training of caretakers and technical personnel from both regions have significantly advanced shared medical knowledge and animal care experience over the years. Chao emphasised that building on this strong foundation, both parties will become cooperative partners on ecological conservation, and join hands in promoting the education on natural ecology in both regions and raising the communities’ awareness on the conservation of wild animals and the natural ecological environment.
Deepening cross-border partnership in conservation and public education
The renewed MoU underscores a shared commitment to enhancing animal care, promoting scientific research, and raising public awareness about biodiversity. The MoU facilitates:
● Enhanced expertise and experience exchange: Through personnel exchanges and mutual training, animal care professionals in both cities will further strengthen their knowledge and skills in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, benefiting not only the giant pandas but also other animal species under their care. This collaborative platform allows for the sharing of best practices and development of innovative techniques to foster professional growth.
● Advancing research and animal welfare: Under the MoU, Ocean Park will offer technical support including veterinary and husbandry consultations as well as laboratory services to Macao. This direct support is expected to bolster Ocean Park's capabilities in animal health management and scientific research, ultimately improving the welfare of animals in both cities.
● Strategic development of conservation facilities: Technical collaboration will also support the long-term development strategies for wildlife conservation facilities in Macao, drawing on Ocean Park’s extensive experience in managing and operating world-class animal facilities.
● Cross-border public education initiatives: The MoU will see the development of joint public education initiatives designed to raise awareness about wildlife conservation among a wider audience. The collaborative approach aims to amplify the message of environmental protection and encourage greater public participation in conservation efforts among both Hong Kong and Macao citizens.
During their visit to Macao, the Ocean Park Corporation delegation exchanged ideas with their Macao counterparts and toured the Macao Giant Panda Pavilion, further solidifying the collaborative spirit of the partnership.
The renewed MoU, valid for three years with the possibility of extension, marks a significant step forward in regional conservation work, fostering a stronger network of expertise and a shared vision for a sustainable future for wildlife.
