Ocean Park sees more than 800 animals die during financial year: report

More than 800 animals died at Ocean Park last year, mainly because of old age or disease, according to the park’s annual report, which also noted an annual loss of HK$234 million (US$29.9 million).

According to the report, the 40-year-old park had 7,807 animals as of June this year, almost 30 percent less than the 10,843 recorded the previous year. Among the lost animals, 884 died, which was 84 more than last year.

The deaths included two California sea lions born at the park which, at 27 and 29 years old, had lived beyond their life expectancy. Nine terrestrial mammals, 39 birds, five reptiles, 17 amphibians and 812 fish also died during the course of the year.

The highest-profile animal death at the 40-year-old, marine-themed amusement park was that of Jia Jia, the oldest giant panda in captivity, who died in October at age 38.

The park said it had retained some of Jia Jia’s “biological samples” for histopathology research as well her skeleton and teeth for “veterinary science and education.”

It noted the park was recognized for its “husbandry and high quality of life provided to aging animals ” upon Jia Jia’s recognition in the Guinness World Record as the oldest of her species in captivity.

While the park, has received praise for its conversation work, some animal rights campaigners have been critical, particularly of its live marine animal performances.

In a SCMP report earlier this year, an activist with Hong Kong’s Empty the Tanks campaign called the spectacles “embarrassing” and accused the park of using its wildlife education and conservation programs as window dressing.

Meanwhile, the park is still struggling to attract enough visitors, recording its seventh straight financial loss.

While this year’s loss was less than the HK$241.1 million recorded the year before, attendance figures in the latest report dropped 4.03 per cent to 5.8 million people.

“The loss is mainly due to the market environment, as well as peripheral factors which the Park has been striving to combat alongside industry peers and the retail sector,” Ocean Park chairman Leo Kung Lin-cheng said in the report.

“With revenue streams tight, the Park must maintain a prudent approach to financial management and ensure it offers high-value experiences to guests to help overcome this challenging business environment.”

According to the SCMP, entrance fees at the part will be raised 9 percent starting Jan. 1, meaning a tickets will cost HK$480 for adults and HK$240 for children.

 

Read more Hong Kong coverage at Coconuts HK.



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