Want to get close to fuzzy pair? Work for it - and pay for the experience

Cheng Wong

Ocean Park chair Paulo Pong Kin-yee has unveiled plans to enhance visitor engagement and expand offerings.

A highlight is the initiative to allow people the unique opportunity to serve as panda caretakers - but they will have to pay for the experience.

Separate exhibition halls for the twin cubs will be constructed when they reach two to three years old. A dedicated panda museum is also planned.

Pong said public visiting hours will be extended from the current 10am to 3pm, starting later this year, to align with the growth of the twins.

"We are planning to introduce more activities around April or May, such as allowing people to prepare traditional Chinese cornbread for the pandas," he said. While direct feeding will not be possible, closer interactions might be allowed, including entering the enclosure to help place bamboo, he added.

A documentary about giant pandas is in production alongside plans for an animated feature.

Further renovations are also planned for the park's downhill area to enhance visitor convenience.

"Some facilities in the lower park area are quite old, and it may be time to relocate them," he said.

While larger attractions like The Grand Aquarium will be maintained, smaller children's facilities may be moved to different locations.

There are currently no plans to raise ticket prices amid the economic climate.