HONG KONG: Hundreds gathered outside Ocean Park Hong Kong three hours before opening on Sunday to see the city’s first locally born giant panda twins, making their public debut at six months old.
Born on Aug 15 to Le Le and Ying Ying — gifts from Beijing — the male and female cubs drew a queue of 500 eager visitors, prompting the park to limit viewing to five minutes per group.
Carried in by caretakers, the twins charmed onlookers as they played, climbed trees, and snuggled before dozing off.
The female, distinguished by round black eye patches, is an adept climber, while the chubbier male sports squarer markings, said assistant curator Elke Wu.
Their mother, Ying Ying, now lives separately and has regained her pre-maternal vigor.
“The cubs are even cuter than in videos. I’ve already picked out names for them,” said a visitor surnamed Zhou.
Ocean Park plans to gradually extend visiting hours later this year or next, alongside new exhibition venues and a giant panda museum, said chairman Paulo Pong. – BERNAMA
