Prime opportunity

With the arrival of the twins, Ocean Park now has six pandas, which Pong described as "unprecedented" and a major drawcard to bring in large crowds, especially overseas tourists.

The stories behind the giant pandas can also attract more foreign visitors to Hong Kong, and showcase the city's and country's latest developments in ecological protection, Pong added.

Meng Ying, an associate professor at Guangming School of Journalism and Communication at China University of Political Science and Law, suggested that Ocean Park should start posting short videos about the giant pandas to capture greater public attention.

Following that, livestreams, which are more interactive and require higher audience engagement, could help deepen affection for the creatures and enable broader dissemination of content, she said. Meng said Hong Kong's media could also serve up content on the animals that is suitable for a global audience.

The most important aspect, however, is to focus on the "undisturbed and natural" daily lives of the pandas, she said. This includes disclosing interesting details about the animals, such as how the keepers prepare their food. These details can transcend different cultures and be appreciated and loved by international audiences, she said.

A good way to drive home the message of China's giant panda conservation efforts would be by giving full play to the idea of "family bonds", with Hong Kong having six pandas living in Ocean Park, Meng said.

Animal conservation is a universal language that could draw an international audience, she said.

Anthony Fung Ying-him, professor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Journalism and Communication School, said the natural resources of Hong Kong Island's southern district — where the park is located, could be leveraged to create green tourism projects. Such projects could integrate conservation content about giant pandas and other animals at Ocean Park.

The recent birth of the cubs also offers an opportunity to present immersive internet content about their growth, and convey conservation concepts to a broader audience, especially young people, Fung said.

Advanced technologies like virtual reality, for instance, could showcase their natural habitats, living habits, reproductive processes, and survival challenges. This not only generates economic benefits, but also raises public awareness about the importance of the natural environment and the need for wildlife protection.

Pong said Ocean Park is considering livestreaming and is in contact with various domestic and international organizations.

However, the primary consideration for livestreams and other social media is ensuring that they do not affect the giant pandas' health and quality of life. The park will not be swayed by online attention and traffic in this regard, Pong said.