A delightful addition has arrived at Ocean Park Hong Kong as a new pair of giant pandas, An An and Ke Ke, made their way to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday. This latest pair marks the third set of pandas sent to Hong Kong, commemorating the 27th anniversary of the HKSAR's return to China.
The arrival of An An and Ke Ke was celebrated with a vibrant welcome ceremony attended by HKSAR Chief Executive Chan Kwok-ki and other government officials. Departing from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Sichuan Province, the pandas are set to join the four existing residents at Ocean Park Hong Kong.
Upon their arrival, the new pandas will undergo a 30-day quarantine period to acclimate to their new environment. Visitors can look forward to meeting An An and Ke Ke starting in December, once they have settled in comfortably.
Ocean Park's dedicated staff have been preparing for their arrival since July, engaging in care training and sensory exposure to ensure a smooth transition. An An, the playful and agile male panda, and Ke Ke, the gentle and climbing-adept female panda, both born in June 2019, bring distinct personalities to the existing group.
Both pandas are reported to be in excellent health by Cheng Yanxi, a veterinarian from the China Conservation and Research Center (CCRC) for the Giant Panda in Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province. Cheng will remain in Hong Kong for two to three months to assist the pandas in fully adapting to their new surroundings.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
