HONG KONG — Panda craze has once again gripped Hong Kong as residents compete to name the territory’s first locally born giant panda cubs, which just turned 6 months old.
The competition to name the twin cubs, born Aug. 15, launched Saturday following a ceremony attended by Hong Kong leader John Lee and other officials at Ocean Park, the theme park that houses the twins, their parents and two other giant pandas that arrived from mainland China last year. Residents can submit their suggestions online.
Lee said the southern Chinese city now has the largest number of pandas in captivity outside of mainland China, and the cubs’ names would be announced in the first half of this year.
The pair, currently identified as the “Elder Sister” and the “Little Brother,” were to make their public debut Sunday and meet visitors for five hours daily. Those who want to enjoy time with the cubs outside regular visiting hours, before the park opens, can pay 1,500 Hong Kong dollars (about $190).
