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The latest Omnimax show, "Pandas: The Journey Home", will be screened from tomorrow (November 1) until April 30 next year at the Hong Kong Space Museum, revealing how scientists work tirelessly to conserve the highly endangered pandas and reintroduce breeding populations of the species to the wild.
The panda is native to China and is proudly called "China's national treasure". With its black and white coat, cool eye patches and clumsy gestures, this adorable animal is also one of the world's most iconic creatures. After thriving for two million years in the bamboo forests of mountainous western China, pandas are on the brink of extinction after centuries of human expansion and the destruction of their habitat. Today, with pandas numbering less than 1 600, the people of China have begun one of the greatest conservation projects in history to increase the numbers of pandas born in captivity, with the aim of eventually returning them to their natural home in the wild.
The Omnimax show captures for the first time pandas breeding at the Bifengxia Panda Base in China. After decades of successful captive breeding, the reserve has reached its target number of 300 giant pandas. In addition to introducing the history of pandas and their conservation, the show also reveals how Chinese scientists tackle the challenge of reintroducing them to the wild. Viewers can also follow the progress of "Tao Tao", who was selected at birth for special training and final release in the wild.
The 36-minute show will be screened daily at 3.50pm and 7.20pm at the museum's Stanley Ho Space Theatre. An additional show at 12.20pm is available on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The museum is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays).
Tickets priced at $24 (front stalls) and $32 (stalls) are available at the Hong Kong Space Museum Box Office and URBTIX. Full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 or above and people with disabilities are eligible for a half-price concession. For further information about the film, please visit the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/Museum/Space/en_US/web/spm/skyshows/omnimaxshow/nowplaying_omnimaxshow/pandasthejourneyhome.html.
The Hong Kong Space Museum is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. For enquiries, please call 2721 0226.
Ends/Friday, October 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:00
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