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	news.gov.hk
	From Hong Kong's Information Services Department

June 11, 2008

Relief

Ocean Park to rebuild panda bases

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

Helping hand: Ocean Park's Zoological Operations & Education Director Timothy Ng calls on the public to make donations through the park's conservation fund website to help repair panda bases.

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.

Donations can be made through electronic donation devices at the park or through its conservation fund website.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Post will issue two limited edition prestige stamp sets with panda paw prints July 1 to raise funds for the repair projects. Click here to see the stamps.