EIGHT NEW ATTRACTIONS IN ONE 25,000m² AREA WITH
RARE ANIMAL RESIDENTS AND MANY ONE-OF–A-KIND WONDERS
(29 April 2009, Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive, Mr. Donald Tsang, officiated at the opening of Amazing Asian Animals today, accompanied by Ocean Park Chairman, Dr. Allan Zeman. Amazing Asian Animals is the first new animal and edu-tainment attraction area to be completed under Ocean Park's HK$5.55 billion Master Redevelopment Project (MRP). The 25,000m² area comprises eight animal exhibits, two classrooms for educational and conservation programmes, as well as the Park's premier retail and F&B facilities.
In addition to taking a tour of the Giant Panda Adventure, where the four red pandas – an endangered species on loan to Ocean Park from the Mainland – reside with other rare species, Mr. Tsang also viewed one of the world's largest goldfish, the black oranda, at the Goldfish Treasures aquarium. He later met some of the 100 staff newly recruited by Ocean Park for Amazing Asian Animals.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Zeman said, "Ocean Park embarked on the Master Redevelopment Project in 2006 to bring in new offerings, and started to refresh current assets that demonstrate differential strength. The completion of Amazing Asian Animals is only the beginning. As we continue with our redevelopment, we will expand Ocean Park's attractions from today's 35 to over 70 when the project is finished in 2012/13, taking Ocean Park to a new level as a world-class theme park of the next generation."
"We have witnessed five successive years of record attendance, revenue and surplus, and we were recently recognised internationally as one of the world's top 15 theme parks. We will go from strength to strength as the new attraction areas under the Master Redevelopment Project continue to materialise," Dr. Zeman said.
At today's opening ceremony, Ocean Park's newest mascot "Redd" made its debut and joined two other newly introduced mascots, "Later Gator" and "Goldie", as well as Whiskers and other members of the Ocean Park mascot family, to celebrate the opening of Amazing Asian Animals.
Amazing Asian Animals features eight attractions in one area. The flagship attraction is the iconic translucent Giant Panda Adventure – home to the four red pandas from Chengdu, as well as the breeding pair of giant pandas, Ying Ying and Le Le, and their future family. The Chinese salamander, Chinese alligators, Asian small-clawed otters, as well as turtles and birds, will also share the habitat. (Please refer to Fact Sheets for details.)
Another major attraction is Goldfish Treasures, a standalone exhibit that will exclusively feature more than 300 varieties of goldfish, making it the world's largest goldfish collection in a theme park. Completing the immersive experience in the new themed area are the Panda Café and Panda Kingdom Shop, which present the food and retail offerings in a sophisticated, contemporary setting with the ambience of nature. (Please refer to Fact Sheets for details.)
Educational encounters await for all in the family at Ocean Park's Amazing Asian Animals Ed-venture. Five tailor-made education programmes will keep both kids and adults alike fascinated as they learn about colourful birds in the area, have breakfast with the pandas, visit back-of-the-house areas or embark on a nocturnal exploration! A range of fun school programmes are also on offer for local students aged 3 to 14 to join. (Please refer to Fact Sheets for details.)
Dr. Zeman said, "Ocean Park, Hong Kong's home-grown theme park, is transforming. We will strive to continue to be the pride of Hong Kong, and the landmark tourism destination in the world. I urge everyone to come to Ocean Park to be part of this extraordinary experience, and to embark on a journey of new discoveries together."
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