'HKers may see new giant pandas in December'
Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung on Friday said he expects the public could meet the two new giant pandas gifted by the central authorities in December. Earlier this week, Yeung visited Sichuan where he attended a cooperation agreement signing ceremony on the arrival arrangements for the two giant pandas. Wrapping up his visit, he said the two giant pandas are expected to arrive in the SAR by late September. But he said the pair would have to undergo one month of quarantine and that they would need another month to adapt to their new environment. The minister added that Ocean Park may need new facilities to accommodate giant pandas, as the city's panda Ying Ying gave birth to two cubs on Thursday. "Hong Kong, in the future, may have six giant pandas... Newborn giant panda babies can live in the same environment with their mum until they are two to three years old," he told reporters at the airport here. "We still have time. In the next one or two years, we can plan for long-term arrangements regarding the living environment of the six giant pandas." Yeung added that the two newborn giant pandas are currently in a stable condition, and that the twins would continue to stay in the city. "Newborn giant pandas need special care because of their small size, such as in terms of their body temperature or how they take in milk," he said. "But people don't have to worry about that. Experts from the mainland and Ocean Park are closely monitoring their situation. We are providing the most professional and the best care for the cubs."