(Hong Kong - June 7, 2010) Building on Ocean Park’s commitment to bring educational, conservational and entertaining experiences to its guests, the Park has arranged a line-up of exciting events between June 5-8 to celebrate this year’s World Environment Day and World Ocean Day and to raise awareness on the importance of environmental protection amongst staff and visitors. In addition, world-renowned celebrity, Mr. Jet Li, visited Ocean Park today with 5 autistic and mentally challenged teenagers and enjoyed an intimate moment with the dolphins through the Park’s Dolphin Encounter programme.
In celebration of the World Environment Day and World Ocean Day, Ocean Park has launched a variety of park-wide promotions including the exhibition of event posters, banners and LED panels at designated attraction areas, verbal mentioning of environmental protection messages at the Park’s animal shows and in narration areas, and the displaying of the Ocean Park Outreach Van at the Summit Plaza with dedicated staff to promote environmental protection and to encourage visitors to pledge their support to the campaign. Furthermore, Ocean Park also sent reminder emails to all staff members and has organized two special movie screenings of the environmentally-themed movie “Home” on June 3 and 4 to raise staff awareness and encourage participation in the two events.
In the upcoming movie “Ocean Heaven”, Mr. Jet Li plays a father who helps his autistic son to cope with his conditions by brining him to the aquarium to swim. Today, Mr. Li paid a special visit to Ocean Park with 5 autistic and mentally challenged members from the Neighborhood Advice – Action Council (NAAC) to spend time with dolphins through the Park’s Dolphin Encounter programme.
The NAAC members greatly enjoyed the intimate experience with the dolphins and listened attentively to the Ocean Park Academy instructor and dolphin trainers during the encounter session. Mr. Li said, “I had a very enjoyable time today with the dolphins and the children. It is said that dolphin voices have a positive impact on both the psychological and mental health of autistic patients, and I certainly hope that is true.”
