(Hong Kong, 5 August 2007) Ocean Park threw a birthday party for its two new pandas Ying Ying and Le Le today, as the pair will turn two on 16 August and 8 August respectively. Panda ambassadors living overseas, including the parents of the young pandas, as well as An An and Jia Jia, residents at Ocean Park since 1999, also sent their birthday greetings to Ying Ying and Le Le. Three local panda fans whose panda toy designs received special commendation for the Ocean Park “Craft-A-Toy To Enrich The Giant Pandas”* activity attended the pandas’ birthday party, and presented their handcrafted creations to Ying Ying and Le Le as birthday gifts. Octopus Card Limited also joined the celebration by unveiling a new Ocean Park “Ying Ying and Le Le Limited Edition Octopus Card”, featuring images of the young pandas, at today’s event.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to celebrate the young pandas’ birthday at Ocean Park, and we hope all our guests will go to say ‘Hi’ to them and their neighbours, An An and Jia Jia, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat,” said Mr. Matthias Li, Deputy Chief Executive of Ocean Park. “Since arriving in April, the young pandas have settled and adapted well under the tender loving care provided by our professional team, who have also cared for An An and Jia Jia over the past eight years. Together the four pandas are an absolute delight for our guests, and our education specialists are on hand to connect them further with the animals, through regular conservation narrations inside the facility,” Mr Li added.
Ocean Park received more than 200 entries for the “Craft-A-Toy To Enrich The Giant Pandas” activity, after some of the participants attended the giant panda toy-design workshop at Ocean Park several months ago. Three outstanding toy designs, namely Panboo, Roll ‘n’ Fun, and Panda Bells, have been selected as birthday gifts for Ying Ying and Le Le. These toys will be introduced to the pandas after modifications have been made to ensure all surfaces are smooth and safe for the animals.
“I’m a huge panda fan, and I love reading about them and their habitats,” said Leung Pak Lap, a product designer whose Roll ‘n’ Fun received a commendation from Ocean Park. “It means a lot to me to be able to create this enrichment toy that our favorite pandas can actually hold and play. I will definitely come more often to Ocean Park to see the pandas play with my creation, and I hope they enjoy it!”
To top off the celebration, a custom birthday cake was made for Ying Ying and Le Le, in the form of a giant popsicle made with their favorite foods – apples, carrots, and bamboo leaves. The popsicle, prepared by Ocean Park ice cream supplier Nestle Hong Kong, was placed in the young pandas’ habitat just before the event, and at the sound of party favours being blown, the young pandas came out into the habitat to greet the guests and proceeded to enjoy their delicious birthday treats. An An and Jia Jia also joined in on the celebration by each having a slice of the juicy popsicle.
In addition, Octopus Company Limited is teaming up with Ocean Park to launch the Ocean Park “Ying Ying and Le Le Limited Edition Octopus Card”. A total of 3,000 of these collectible cards will be issued, all bearing the images of Ying Ying and Le Le.
The Ocean Park “Ying Ying and Le Le Limited Edition Octopus Card” is available for HK$130 each at Ocean Park from 15 August 2007, and part of the proceeds will go towards Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong, for panda conservation projects.
A photographic exhibition featuring giant pandas in their natural Sichuan habitats will also be on display at Ocean Park from 5 to 7 August 2007, to support the Chengdu Association for Cultural Exchanges with Foreign Countries.
“We wish Ying Ying and Le Le many happy birthdays to come, and as their entrusted caregiver, together with An An and Jia Jia, we will continue to develop enriching experiences to connect our guests with our conservation ambassadors, and to raise funds to conserve their species and their habitats,” Mr Li said.
* For details of “Craft-A-Toy To Enrich The Giant Pandas” Competition and the launch of the Ocean Park “Ying Ying and Le Le Limited Edition Octopus Card”, please refer to enclosed fact sheets.
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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.
