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Ambrose Li

Hong Kong launched a naming contest for the city’s giant panda cubs on Saturday, a day before they make their public debut at Ocean Park.
At a ceremony to launch the contest, park chairman Paulo Pong Kin-yee said the facility had also seen a 30 per cent year-on-year increase in income over the Christmas period since two Beijing-gifted bears, An An and Ke Ke, made their own debut earlier in December.
He hoped the park would enjoy a further boost in business with the unveiling of the two cubs.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also spoke at the ceremony for the contest, which is being co-organised by the government and the park.
“Since the cubs’ birth, Hong Kong residents have been affectionately calling them ‘Elder Sister’ and ‘Younger Brother’, like when we’re at home addressing our children – which we could keep to distinguish them,” he said.
“But there is also a need to give them proper names … I invite everyone’s enthusiastic participation.”
The deadline for the naming competition is on March 7 with results to be announced in the first half of the year.


An An and Ke Ke, which arrived in Hong Kong in September, retained their initial names after Hong Kong authorities spent HK$700,000 (US$89,920) on a naming competition that drew 22,600 entries.
Pong revealed that “several hundred” people applied for special tickets to visit the cubs before the park opened each day.
The special tickets cost HK$1,500 each and allow up to 40 guests to spend 30 minutes with the duo each day.
“[The buyers] include companies that could be treating their clients with seeing the pandas,” Pong said.
He added that the special tickets would continue as the park had seen strong demand, stressing income from the passes would go to giant panda conservation.
Pong also said the park had seen increased income after An An and Ke Ke made their public debut in December.
He added that over Lunar New Year, income had risen by 10 per cent, while the park now had “four times more” merchandise, which had been selling “very well” and generated an extra 20 per cent in revenue.
Pong expected the debut of the two cubs on Sunday would help boost income further.

Elke Wu, the park’s zoological operations assistant curator, said that six carers took turns round the clock to look after the cubs as the bears became increasingly active, having grown from the initial 120 grams in weight to about 12kg (26.4lbs).
“Initially, we were worried about whether they’d fall and hurt themselves, but the experts from Sichuan have said it is safe for them to explore and learn to climb. They are very accomplished climbers so there was no need to be too concerned,” Wu said.
The two cubs were seen playing with each other and dexterously scaling the branches available in the pavilion on Saturday.
The bears are also fond of a swing and toys such as balls and sticks within their exhibit.
The cubs were born to giant panda Ying Ying, who also stays in Ocean Park, last August.
The park slipped into a deficit of HK$71.6 million for the financial year ending June 30, compared with a HK$118.5 million surplus a year ago, despite strong growth in post-Covid revenue and visitor numbers.
An insider previously told the Post that the loss was partly due to the lack of a HK$570 million government grant, which had been provided in the previous financial year.


HK$880 to be a panda pal? Hong Kong’s Ocean Park launches fan club for twin cubs

Hong Kong panda cub injures right eyelid after playing ‘too energetically’

When tourists come to Hong Kong, they’re not panda-hunting

Twin giant pandas greet excited public for the first time at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park

Hong Kong’s pandas

Hong Kong launches naming contest for city’s 2 giant panda cubs

Hong Kong’s panda cubs will meet the public on Sunday. Photo: Eugene Lee

Chief Executive John Lee has invited the public to pick names for the city’s two panda cubs. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong’s Ocean Park plans panda museum to drive craze for city’s bear family

Panda twins “Elder Sister” (left) and “Younger Brother” roam their habitat ahead of their public debut. Photo: May Tse

Ocean Park chairman Paulo Pong has said the park is considering offering premium tours and private viewings of the cubs to boost its panda-related income. Photo: Edmond So

Panda Watch: twin cubs set to make public debut in Hong Kong on February 16

“Elder Sister” (left) and “Younger Brother” are set to meet the Hong Kong public on February 16. Photo: May Tse

“Younger Brother” has chosen a log as his favourite spot in Ocean Park’s Giant Panda Adventure enclosure. Photo: May Tse

“Elder Sister” (right) enjoys lazing and napping on a fork of branches on a tree. Photo: May Tse

News

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Economy

Contest launched day before ‘Elder Sister’ and ‘Younger Brother’ set to make their public debut at Ocean Park


Contest launched day before ‘Elder Sister’ and ‘Younger Brother’ set to make their public debut at Ocean Park.
