Abdelrahman
Panda Enthusiasm Reignites in Hong Kong as Residents Engage in Naming Competition for Local Celebrity Cubs
HONG KONG (AP) — Excitement over pandas is sweeping through Hong Kong once again as locals participate in a contest to name the territory’s first giant panda cubs born in the area, who recently celebrated their six-month milestone.
The naming contest for the adorable twin cubs, known as the "Elder Sister" and "Little Brother," kicked off Saturday during a celebratory event at Ocean Park. This popular theme park not only houses the twins but also their parents and two additional giant pandas that arrived from mainland China last year. The public is invited to submit their name suggestions through the park’s official website.
In remarks during the event, Hong Kong leader John Lee highlighted that the southern city now boasts the largest population of pandas in captivity outside of mainland China. The names chosen for the cubs are set to be revealed in the upcoming months.
As the excitement continues, the cubs will meet the public starting Sunday and will be accessible to visitors for five hours each day. For those eager to spend time with the cubs outside regular hours, a special experience is available at a cost of 1,500 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $190).
During a preview event, the male cub was seen playfully swinging and engaging with a tree branch while the female cub explored her habitat, climbing a tree with ease. Caregivers noted that the female is notably more active than her brother, who enjoys wandering and playing with plants. To help distinguish the two, the male cub has two purple food-coloring spots on his back.
The birth of these cubs has placed their mother, Ying Ying, in the spotlight, as she holds the record for being the world’s oldest first-time panda mother. Their widespread popularity on social media has rekindled hopes for boosting tourism in the region. Officials are encouraging local businesses to tap into this newfound panda fascination, which has been labeled the "panda economy" by some lawmakers.
Ocean Park’s chairman, Paulo Pong, shared with the media that the park experienced increased revenue over the holiday seasons, attributing this rise to public interest in the pandas. “We’re turning the page and we believe the pandas are definitely helping the income of the park,” he stated.
However, caring for pandas comes with a hefty price tag, and Ocean Park recorded a deficit of 71.6 million Hong Kong dollars ($9.2 million) in the previous financial year. In 2020, the park relied on government assistance to remain operational. Moving forward, it remains to be seen whether the costs associated with caring for six pandas will burden the park or provide an opportunity for recovery.
Pong emphasized that raising pandas is rooted in conservation and education rather than merely a financial endeavor. Pandas are viewed as China’s unofficial national symbol, with the country’s giant panda loan program often recognized as a facet of Beijing’s soft-power diplomacy.
