Giant pandas to arrive in HK on Sept. 26, making debut in December after quarantine
The public is looking forward to the arrival of a pair of giant pandas gifted to Hong Kong by the Central Authorities. It is learned that experts from Ocean Park have been in Sichuan for some time to familiarize themselves with the living habits of the giant pandas. Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, will visit Sichuan again tomorrow (Aug. 15) to follow up on their arrival in Hong Kong probably on Sept. 26.
The giant pandas still need to undergo quarantine upon arrival in Hong Kong according to the regulations though they are very healthy. It also takes time for them to adapt to the new environment. Therefore, it is estimated that they may not make their official debut in Ocean Park until December to meet with the public, but they can debut earlier if they adapt very well to the environment here.
The selected pair of giant pandas for Hong Kong are aged between five and eight. The male one is agile and smart, with a weight of more than 120 kg, while the female one is lovely and cuddly, with a weight of 100kg. They will undergo a 30-day quarantine at Dujiangyan Giant Panda Base in Sichuan and another 30-day quarantine upon their arrival in Hong Kong, according to the government.
Yeung mentioned that Ocean Park would improve the facilities of the Panda Village, including plants, climbing frames, and the installation of additional equipment for photography to share the activities of the giant pandas with the public in real-time. What's more, bamboo planted in Guangdong Province or Ocean Park will be transported to Sichuan in advance so that two giant pandas can get accustomed to the bamboo species that they will be eating in Ocean Park in the future.
A panda keeper of Ocean Park said in a recent interview with Ta Kung Pao that each giant panda has its personality. Therefore, different facilities will be equipped to mimic the natural environment in which they live, enabling them to adapt themselves as quickly as possible.
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Kevin Yeung to leave for Sichuan this week to follow up on giant pandas' arrival in HK
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