Ocean Park mulls creating panda-themed IP and documentaries

Ocean Park is looking into developing panda-themed intellectual property (IP) and filming documentaries featuring the six pandas in the theme park, according to the park's chairman, Paulo Pong.

Speaking on CRHK’s radio programme On a Clear Day (在晴朗的一天出發) last Friday (27 September),  Pong said Hong Kong’s six pandas, which include the elderly, the middle-aged, and the young members, allow the park to promote all three generations together.

Capitalising on the six pandas, Ocean Park is considering developing related IP to attract more mainland and overseas visitors. It may potentially create cartoons, comics, and documentaries featuring the pandas.

Furthermore, Pong said Ocean Park will consider referencing the South Korean documentary “My Dearest Fu Bao” (再．見熊貓福寶), which is about South Korea's first native-born giant panda, Fu Bao. Meanwhile, the park intends to include the six pandas in Hong Kong to foster a connection to the city and explore how to depict a family dynamic featuring pandas of various ages while crafting engaging and creative stories.

Pong also revealed that Ocean Park will arrange for short films featuring two locally-born pandas to be shown before the screening of “My Dearest Fu Bao” in local theatres.

Meanwhile, Pong said on RTHK’s radio programme previously that, while the park currently has sufficient manpower and conservation capabilities, new facilities are necessary. It is having ongoing discussions with government regarding the location, size, and budget of the new enclosure.

Currently, the two giant panda facilities consist of four areas, and the twins born to Ying Ying can stay with their parents until they are two to three years old. Ocean Park is exploring plans for a new giant panda facility, weighing the possibility of two or three separate enclosures or one large one. Pong said visitor experience will be a priority, including the decision to place all exhibits at the lower level or some on the mountain to encourage more foot traffic. The park aims to provide new immersive experiences for visitors, he said.

The giant pandas can also serve as ambassadors for Hong Kong’s tourism in the future, and related products can incorporate elements unique to the city, he added.

Don't miss: Lawmakers urge HK to leverage giant pandas to boost economy

Recently, Hong Kong has welcomed two giant pandas named An An (安安) and Ke Ke (可可), gifted by the Chinese government, sparking calls for the city's various sectors to leverage the adorable animals to boost the local economy.

Simon Yim, chairman of the organising committee and executive president of the Federation of Hong Kong Sichuan Community Organisation said on “千禧年代” that as the city now has six pandas, there are significant business opportunities and merchants should roll out panda-themed products.

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