THE TWINS, a female and a male, were born on August 15, 2024, to panda parents Le Le and Ying Ying, who were gifted to Hong Kong by the central government as part of a diplomatic gesture.
The highly anticipated debut of Hong Kong’s first giant panda twins drew a large crowd to Ocean Park on Sunday, with visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the six-month-old cubs.
The twins, a female and a male, were born on August 15, 2024, to panda parents Le Le and Ying Ying, who were gifted to Hong Kong by the central government as part of a diplomatic gesture.
By the time the park opened its doors, hundreds of visitors were already gathered outside the exhibition area, with as many as 500 people lining up to see the adorable duo. In order to manage the overwhelming demand, the park imposed a time limit of five minutes per visitor, Bernama – Xinhua reported.
As the twin pandas made their way into the display area, carefully carried by their caretakers, the crowd was enchanted.
The cubs, displaying playful behaviour, clambered up trees, engaged in adorable head rubs, and eventually settled down for a peaceful nap.
The female cub is characterised by distinct round black patches around her eyes and has shown impressive climbing skills, while her brother is slightly chubbier, with squarer eye markings and a darker coat, said Assistant Curator of Zoological Operations at Ocean Park, Elke Wu.
The twins’ parents, Le Le and Ying Ying, now live in separate enclosures. Ying Ying has regained her pre-pregnancy weight and is in excellent health.
“I’ve seen them in videos, but they are even cuter in person! I’ve already come up with names for them,” said Zhou, a teenager visiting the park.
In response to the overwhelming excitement, Ocean Park plans to gradually extend its visiting hours, allowing the public more opportunities to see the cubs later this year or in 2026.
Additionally, the park is planning the construction of new facilities, including a giant panda museum, to enhance the visitor experience, according to Paulo Pong, chairman of Ocean Park Corporation.
The debut of the panda twins marks a significant moment for Hong Kong’s conservation efforts and provides a rare opportunity for panda lovers to witness the early stages of life for these beloved animals. – February 17, 2025
female and male panda, Ocean Park, Hong Kong, Le Le and Ying Ying
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