Ocean Park's Amazing Animals

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By Joyce Woo (HK Edition)
Updated: 2009-04-30 07:35

HONG KONG: Ocean Park's latest attraction, Amazing Asian Animals - featuring red pandas, giant pandas, Chinese alligators and Asian small-clawed otters - opens to the public today.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang officiated at the opening ceremony yesterday and was given a personal tour by the park's chairman Allan Zeman.

The 25,000 square-meter scenic spot is the first animal attraction area completed under the park's massive HK$5.55 billion redevelopment plan. It comprises eight animal exhibits, two classrooms for educational and conservation programs as well as multiple shops and eateries.

The main attraction is the Giant Panda Adventure which features Hong Kong's first and only translucent building, constructed of the material adopted for the exterior of the Beijing National Aquatics Center. The Giant Panda Adventure is home to the four red pandas, giant pandas, Ying Ying and Le Le, several Chinese alligators, the Chinese salamander, Asian small-clawed otters and others.

Tsang visited the red panda habitat, permitting himself to become absorbed in observing the bamboo-chewing critters. The cubs were full of energy, cavorting in the long grass, nibbling and pawing, as playful as house cats.

Meanwhile, the park added yet another mascot to its ever-expanding mascot family, announcing the introduction of "Redd" the red panda. The animal joins "Later Gator" the alligator, "Goldie" the fish and "Whiskers" the dolphin amongst others.

At the opening ceremony, Zeman said that Ocean Park will strive to continue its standing as a landmark tourism destination for the world.

"I urge everyone to come to Ocean Park to be part of this extraordinary experience," he added.

The new attraction also boasts an aquarium with more than 300 varieties of goldfish. The Goldfish Treasures is the largest goldfish collection at any world theme park.

He also added that the rare sturgeons sent back to Xiamen for treatment may return to the park in summer.

The new animal attraction is just part of a large-scale redevelopment plan. The park plans to launch new attractions over different phases from now to 2012/13. Plans call for increasing the number of attractions from the current 35 to over 70.

(HK Edition 04/30/2009 page1)