Hundreds of excited visitors flocked to Ocean Park Hong Kong on Saturday to celebrate the 100th day since the birth of the city’s first locally-born giant panda twins. The cubs, born to Ying Ying and Le Le—giant pandas gifted by China’s central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)—have quickly become symbols of joy and hope for residents.
The park was adorned with festive decorations, including cartoon images of the panda twins and welcome banners. Visitors, many dressed in panda-themed attire, eagerly queued outside the park gates from early morning. In keeping with local customs, red eggs and pork knuckle ginger stew were distributed to guests—a traditional way for families to share joy upon the birth of a newborn child.
In a special treat for attendees, Ocean Park launched its first-ever live-streaming session featuring the panda twins. The female cub made the first appearance, delighting the crowd as she stretched and wriggled on her bed. Moments later, caretakers gently placed the male cub beside her. The pair’s playful interactions and affectionate snuggling elicited cheers and applause from onlookers.
Adding to the excitement, Le Le made a rare public appearance, garnering warm reactions from the crowd. The proud father strolled around his enclosure, seemingly acknowledging the visitors who came to celebrate his offspring.
The birth of the panda twins has been a significant event for Hong Kong, strengthening the bond between residents and these cherished animals. The twins represent not only a conservation success but also a beacon of positivity amid challenging times.
As the festivities concluded, many visitors expressed their heartfelt wishes for the healthy growth of the panda cubs. The 100-day celebration marked a memorable milestone, leaving the community eagerly anticipating future opportunities to watch the twins thrive.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
