Hong Kong's Ocean Park unveiled the names of its first locally-born giant panda twins on Tuesday, marking a milestone in the region's wildlife conservation efforts. The cubs, born in 2024, will be introduced to the public as Jia Jia (meaning 'excellence') and De De ('virtue'), symbols of prosperity and unity chosen through a public voting campaign.
The cubs' debut comes 17 years after their parents, Ying Ying and Le Le, arrived from the Chinese mainland as part of a conservation partnership. Park officials emphasized the technical achievement of natural breeding in a subtropical climate, noting the twins' healthy development as a testament to cross-regional ecological collaboration.
Residents of Hong Kong and international visitors can now observe the siblings in their specially designed habitat, which replicates the bamboo forests of Sichuan province. The naming ceremony coincided with preparations for the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, with organizers highlighting the pandas' role as 'living ambassadors' of cultural exchange.
Conservationists worldwide are monitoring the cubs' progress, as successful captive breeding programs remain critical for the endangered species. Ocean Park's achievement positions Hong Kong as an emerging hub for giant panda research, with plans for educational programs about mainland China's biodiversity conservation efforts.
