The first giant panda cubs born in Hong Kong have finally made their public debut at Ocean Park Hong Kong. The adorable twins, born last August, greeted visitors on Sunday in the park’s Giant Panda Adventure hall.
Their proud parents, Ying Ying and Le Le, are giant pandas gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). At a special ceremony on Saturday, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the caretakers for their excellent care of the twins and for providing professional postnatal care to Ying Ying.
“Ying Ying, the mother of the twin cubs, is on record as the world’s oldest giant panda to give birth for the first time. The birth of the twin cubs not only solidifies the outstanding achievements of our country in giant panda conservation but also demonstrates Ocean Park’s leading position as an important conservation and education base in Hong Kong,” Lee said. He also announced the launch of a naming competition for the cubs.
Currently, the cubs are affectionately called “Jiajie” and “Xilao,” meaning “elder sister” and “little brother” in Cantonese. Residents are encouraged to suggest names based on the cubs’ physical features, characteristics, and daily interactions. The results will be announced in the first half of this year.
Over the past six months, the cubs have grown healthily from around 120 grams at birth to over 12 kilograms. “Pandas are national treasures. They are connected to the emotions of Hong Kong residents. I am also very grateful to the country for always giving the best and most precious gifts to Hong Kong. We will take good care of these two panda babies,” said Poman Lo, a businesswoman in the tourism industry.
Including the twins, there are currently six giant pandas in Hong Kong. Over the years, three pairs of giant pandas have been gifted to Hong Kong by the central government. The first pair, An An and Jia Jia, arrived in 1999 and have since passed away. The second pair, Le Le and Ying Ying, came in 2007 and are the proud parents of the twins born in 2024.
All of Hong Kong’s giant pandas reside at Ocean Park, where they are lovingly cared for by the park’s dedicated team. The arrival of the twin cubs marks a significant milestone in the region’s conservation efforts and offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to learn more about these beloved animals.
