Ocean Park passionate about snappy new attraction

Christine Tang

Citizens and tourists on Saturday will have the opportunity to witness the unveiling of Ocean Park's newest animal ambassador, Passion, a rare crocodile discovered in Pat Heung last year.

The sighting of Passion occurred in Lin Fa Tei, Yuen Long, on April 30 last year when a vigilant villager spotted her. Following her discovery, the 1.9-meter-long female crocodile was carefully transferred to Ocean Park by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

Once at Ocean Park, Passion received exceptional care and attention from a dedicated team of veterinarians and animal caretakers, a park spokesman said.

"The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has generously donated this crocodile to Ocean Park for the purposes of conservation and education," said AFCD deputy director Mickey Lai Kin-ming. "Through Passion, we hope to promote biodiversity and animal conservation messages to the public and visitors."

Lai expressed the desire for Passion to serve as a symbolic ambassador advocating for the protection of biodiversity and endangered species, discouraging any involvement in the smuggling or illegal possession of animals.

Passion can now be found in Croco Land, a newly constructed crocodile habitat located at the main entrance of Ocean Park. According to experts, Passion is estimated to be between four and five years old and is a hybrid Siamese-Cuban crocodile.

The public participated in an online poll to determine her name, with "Passion" emerging as the favorite from over 11,000 submissions made during Ocean Park's New Member Naming Challenge held between January 17 and 31.

The name "Passion" not only resonates with the energetic nature of the crocodile but also reflects the park's unwavering commitment to ecological conservation.

The Cantonese name of Passion also echoes the pronunciation of Pat Heung, the place where she was discovered, while also symbolizing passion fruit.

During her time at Ocean Park, Passion has experienced substantial growth and development. Initially weighing 35 kilograms and measuring 1.9 meters in length, she has gained 3.5 kilograms and grown seven centimeters longer within the park's nurturing environment.

Ocean Park chairman Paulo Pong Kin-yee expressed gratitude to the AFCD for entrusting Passion to the park, emphasizing the park's dedication to safeguarding Hong Kong's precious ecosystem.

Croco Land has been meticulously designed to replicate a natural wild environment. It features a combination of deep and shallow water and land areas, providing a suitable habitat for Passion.

The freshwater pools within the habitat are temperature-controlled, maintaining a range of 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, with an average temperature maintained of 25 degrees Celsius.

Visitors are reminded to refrain from tapping on the glass or throwing objects into the enclosure when observing Passion, ensuring a safe and respectful experience for both the visitors and the animal.

In addition to Passion's presence, Ocean Park Animal Discovery Fest is set to return this Saturday until May 19.

The event offers visitors the opportunity to expand their knowledge of animals through engaging activities such as "Get Set, Know! Missions for 'Newbies' Whiskers Villagers," where participants can embark on a series of fun missions to learn more about various species.

Visitors can also participate in an Easter egg hunt called "Egg-cellent Animal Quest," which aims to unveil the hidden birth secrets of animals at different exhibits throughout the park.w