CapitaLand welcomes the birth of Singapore’s first baby panda by Kai Kai and Jia Jia
The Group remains committed to supporting wildlife conservation and growing its presence in China
Singapore, 15 August 2021 – CapitaLand welcomes the birth of Singapore’s first baby panda by two iconic pandas – male panda ‘Kai Kai’ (凯凯) and female panda ‘Jia Jia’ (嘉嘉) on 14 August 2021, which also happens to be the day of the Qixi Festival1, commonly referred to as the Chinese Valentine's Day. Kai Kai and Jia Jia were presented to Singapore from China on 6 September 2012. CapitaLand is the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor of the Giant Panda Collaborative Programme between Wildlife Reserves Singapore and China Wildlife Conservation Association. The collaboration aims to enhance awareness for the conservation of these gentle creatures and the development of a breeding programme for these vulnerable animals.
Mr Lee Chee Koon, Group CEO of CapitaLand Group, said:
“CapitaLand is excited that our beloved Kai Kai and Jia Jia have given birth to Singapore’s first panda baby. This signifies the continued close friendship between Singapore and China, CapitaLand’s core market where we have built a strong presence over 25 years.
This news brings CapitaLand double joy, as it coincides with the resounding approval CapitaLand received from our shareholders this week to restructure the Group to create CapitaLand Investment, the listed global real estate investment management business; and CapitaLand Development, the privatised property development arm.
Through our philanthropic arm, CapitaLand Hope Foundation, we have been educating underprivileged children the importance of wildlife conservation. Post restructuring, CapitaLand remains committed to preserving biodiversity as part of our sustainability efforts.”
CapitaLand’s sponsorship supports giant panda conservation efforts to build infrastructure including the pandas’ habitat; extend care of pandas and related facilities for collaborative research and conservation; promote the breeding of these vulnerable animals by replicating the conditions suitable to naturally or artificially assisting the reproduction of giant pandas in Singapore; and panda husbandry and care in captivity.
About Kai Kai and Jia Jia
Kai Kai and Jia Jia are from Ya'an Bifengxia Panda Base, a two-hour drive from Chengdu City in the Sichuan province of China. Kai Kai, which means ‘victorious’ in Chinese, was born on 14 September 2007. He is active, amiable and obedient. He loves to eat carrots and likes licking his paws. Kai Kai has an 'Onion Head' which is created by a small tuft of fur on his head.
Jia Jia, which symbolises beauty in Chinese, was born on 3 September 2008. She has a playful personality and is very affectionate. Jia Jia loves climbing trees and eating on-the-go; at times she even carries bamboos up a tree to munch.
The habitat of Kai Kai and Jia Jia comprises a climate-controlled enclosure of about 1,500m2. An energy-efficient water-chilled air-conditioned system is used to set the entire habitat at a temperature between 18 and 22 degree Celsius and humidity levels are controlled at 50 to 60 per cent year-round. The habitat is naturally landscaped with a lush bamboo forest, shallow streams, trees and boulders for the animals to explore and play.
CapitaLand welcomes the birth of Singapore’s first baby panda by Kai Kai and Jia Jia
Note:
1 Qixi Festival is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar.