Ocean Park to Rebuilt Panda Base              2008-6-11

Ocean Park has launched a fund to help repair Sichuan's giant panda bases damaged in the May 12 earthquake.

 It has allocated a million RMB for procuring relief supplies like mobile homes, sleeping bags, water purification tablets and power-generating machines, which will be delivered by month's-end. 

The park's Zoological Operations & Education Director Timothy Ng told news.gov.hk the earthquake affected a huge area, damaging panda bases in Sichuan, Shanxi and Gansu provinces. 

He said it decided to help after considering the severe damage caused at the Wolong giant panda centre. 

The park's staff will assess the damage to the bases and the amount of rebuilding required. Professionals may be sent to co-ordinate the rebuilding which could last years, Mr Ng added, calling for donations from the public.

Hong Kong Post will issue a stamp set featuring giant pandas Ying Ying and Le Le next month to commemorate the anniversary of their arrival and raise funds for the repair projects.