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Jess Ma

Clifford Lo

Elite police motorcyclists, renowned for their VIP escort services, will be deployed to ensure the safe passage of two giant pandas gifted by Beijing to Hong Kong’s Ocean Park upon their arrival from Sichuan on Thursday, the Post has learned.
Motorcyclists from the Force Escort Group will be responsible for the bears’ 40km (25 mile) journey from the airport to the theme park in Southern district after a Cathay Pacific Airways flight carrying the pandas lands in Hong Kong around midday, according to sources.
One source said the escort team would chart a smooth and secure route for the giant pandas ahead of their delivery.
The insider added that officers taking part in escort duties would be armed, but stopped short of giving further details about security measures.
He said that he believed no one would try to steal the pandas, noting officers in related regions would also facilitate the escort to ensure smooth passage and minimise traffic jams.


A send-off ceremony for the two treasured gifts, attended by mainland Chinese and Hong Kong officials, will be held at a hotel in Sichuan on Wednesday. The two pandas will not be present.
Unlike arrivals of other animals which typically undergo quarantine at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s facilities, another source said the two giant pandas would go straight to their new home at Ocean Park. They are expected to undergo quarantine upon arrival.
About two months ago, staff members from Ocean Park, known as panda nannies, flew to Sichuan to take care of the two bears and prepare for their delivery.
One of the nannies, named Matt, shared on Ocean Park’s Facebook page that he arrived in Sichuan in July to get to know the new pandas, including their characteristics, food preferences, and behaviour.
“During this time, I need to introduce myself to them and let them get used to my voice, my scent, and my presence. Once they are comfortable with me being around, I will begin some basic husbandry training with them,” he said.
Matt also revealed that the pandas would undergo a dietary transition, where they would be introduced to bamboo from Guangzhou in addition to what is provided in Sichuan.
“By doing this transition before their arrival in Hong Kong, we allow these two pandas to gradually adapt to the changes in their diet,” he said.

Beijing gave the bears to Hong Kong to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty this year.
The pandas are coming from the Dujiangyan base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Pandas in Chengdu.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu revealed earlier this year that the pair of young adult pandas were aged between five and eight. Giant pandas reach adulthood at five years and sexual maturity at around 7½, but are famously sex-shy.
The new bears will be neighbours to a family of four giant pandas. Ying Ying and Le Le recently became parents of twin cubs at Ocean Park in Southern district.
Ying Ying and Le Le, both 19 years old, became first-time parents in August whenYing Ying unexpectedly gave birth to a female and male cub. She became the world’s oldest mum of captive giant pandas.
The new pair of pandas and the twins have yet to be named.
Ying Ying and Le Le, the second pair of pandas given to Hong Kong in 2007. The first pair, male An An and female Jia Jia arrived in 1999, but died without reproducing.
Established 38 years ago, the squad of the force’s best motorcyclists leaps in action performing escort duties whenever Chinese leaders and political figures from overseas are in town.
In addition to VIP escort services, the first source said, the team had been tasked with escorting relics loaned from Beijing’s Palace Museum and classified as “national treasures”, to the Hong Kong Palace Museum at the West Kowloon Cultural District upon arrival in the city in 2022.


Hong Kong to hold naming contest for 2 new giant pandas in October, John Lee says

Hong Kong to create panel to name giant pandas being gifted to city by Beijing

Elite police motorcyclists to escort 2 new giant pandas from Hong Kong airport to Ocean Park

Panda Watch: Hong Kong cubs put on healthy weight at 5-week mark

Hong Kong’s pandas

Elite Hong Kong motorcyclists from Police Force Escort Group. Photo: Jelly Tse

Tourists visit the “Giant Panda Adventure” at Ocean Park. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong to welcome new pair of giant pandas on September 26

The new arrivals will join bears such as Le Le (pictured), bringing the population in the city to six. Photo: May Tse

Ying Ying and Le Le (pictured) became first-time parents in August when the bears unexpectedly gave birth to a female and male cub. May Tse

Hong Kong’s 4 new giant pandas called game-changer for tourism industry

Hong Kong has been urged to make the most of the “panda economy”. Photo: Jelly Tse

A screengrab from a video posted on Saturday of a cub being fed. Photo: Ocean Park.

Paulo Pong (right), chairman Ocean Park, discusses the twin pandas at a press conference. Photo: Antony Dickson

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Motorcycles in arrow formation will be responsible for the bears’ 40km journey from airport to theme park upon their arrival from Sichuan


Motorcycles in arrow formation will be responsible for the bears’ 40km journey from airport to theme park upon their arrival from Sichuan.


Pandas

Ocean Park

Hong Kong tourism

Animals