Jockey Club supports Ocean Parka£á?s education programme for Sichuan treasures

04/02/2012

To enhance students’ understanding of rare animal species from Sichuan at the Ocean Park, the Club’s Charities Trust has donated more than HK$5 million to fund the Jockey Club Ocean Park Education Programme for three years.

Today (2 April), Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson joined Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing, Ocean Park Chairman Dr Allan Zeman and Deputy Director in General, Department of Forestry of Sichuan Province Jiang Chu at the opening ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures, which replaces the Giant Panda Habitat funded by the Trust back in 1998.

Mr Stevenson noted the Club and Ocean Park share a commitment to community education and conservation, as well as to providing world-class entertainment to local residents and visitors around the world.

“To help our children better understand these endangered species and learn more about conservation, I am very pleased to announce that the Trust is donating more than five million dollars to establish the three-year Jockey Club Ocean Park Education Programme,” he said.

Thirty-five years ago, the Trust funded the construction of Ocean Park, providing local residents and overseas visitors with a diverse selection of world-class marine attractions, thrill rides and exciting experiences that offer elements of entertainment, education and conservation.  The Trust has donated more than HK$730 million to date to support the Park’s development and operation, enabling it to become one of the major tourist attractions in Hong Kong.

“The Ocean Park remains one of the most creative and imaginative projects ever undertaken by the Club,” Mr Stevenson remarked. “Over the years, we have been honoured to help nurture what has become a Hong Kong icon – the city’s most loved and successful entertainment park as well as a major international tourist attraction.”

The renamed facility follows renovation and expansion of the 14-year-old Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat, which originally housed two giant pandas An An and Jia Jia, and now also caters for a new pair of Golden Monkeys Le Le and Hu Hu given by the Central Government.  The Sichuan Treasures facility is expected to attract 1.7 million visitors in the first year.

The three-year Jockey Club Ocean Park Education Programme will enable more students and a wider community to learn about the animals housed there as well as the importance of conservation. The Programme will include an education fun day targeting 30,000 underprivileged students to enjoy an educational tour at Ocean Park.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.6 billion in 2011. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$15 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.