Singaporeans have plenty to celebrate in the month of August. Not only is there National Day (and the local-themed goodies that come along with it), Singapore’s panda duo Kai Kai (凯凯) & Jia Jia (嘉嘉) became first-time parents to a healthy cub on 14 August 2021! ?
Did you know that 14 August 2021 also happens to be the day of the Qixi Festival, commonly referred to as the Chinese Valentine’s Day? ❤️
To spread the love, CapitaLand INSIDE has put together 10 more nifty details of the beary adorable couple as the country revels in celebration!
Psst! Be sure to read all the way to the end! You won’t want to miss out #10
1️⃣ Unbearably rare
Giant Pandas are the rarest members of the bear family. They are classified vulnerable animals on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
However, international conservation efforts to restore panda habitats such as creating forest reserves and captive breeding programmes help ensure the future survival of the Giant Panda population.
That’s why we’re all super stoked over the birth of Jia Jia’s first cub!
It’s here! Jia Jia welcomes her first cub
2️⃣ It eats elephants
No way! We’re pulling your leg, but adult pandas consume loads of fresh bamboo every year. That’s about 20 kg per day; 7,300 kg per annum, equivalent to the weight of an entire elephant.
With the arrival of the giant pandas to Singapore, the Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s horticulture department has planted and nurtured four different species of bamboo, three of which are native to the homeland of the giant pandas.
Apart from bamboo, the pandas’ diet comprises vegetables and specialised folivore biscuits.
3️⃣ It all started in 2012
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.
4️⃣ Largest in Southeast Asia
We’re referring to the giant panda exhibit at River Safari! Singapore may be the smallest country in Southeast Asia, but Kai Kai and Jia Jia have all the space they need to feel comfortable!
Visitors can observe them in an environment very similar to that of their natural habitat. The exhibit is situated at the Yangtze River zone of River Safari, where visitors can also catch other endangered wildlife from China such as the giant salamander and red panda.
5️⃣ Super cool bears
To make the pandas feel at home, an energy-efficient water-chilled air-conditioned system is used in the 1,500m2 climate-controlled enclosure, maintaining a temperature between 18 to 22 degree Celsius and humidity levels at 50 to 60 percent all year round. The habitat is naturally landscaped with a lush bamboo forest, shallow streams, trees and boulders for them to explore and play.
6️⃣ They make great art!
You might have come across these colourful pandas at Westgate or The Interlace in Singapore, but did you know they first made their appearance in China?
CapitaLand specially commissioned French artist, Julien Marinetti to do a set of panda family sculptures for Raffles City Chengdu in 2011 and because they were so popular, the brood has multiplied since!
Marinetti sees the surface of his sculptures as three-dimensional canvases on which he can freely apply bright colours and charming “graffiti”, often in the style of Picasso.
7️⃣ The beautiful one
Born on 3 September 2008, Jia Jia, whose name symbolises “beauty” in Chinese, has a playful disposition and is very affectionate.
Jia Jia enjoys climbing trees and eating on-the-go, occasionally even bringing bamboos up a tree to munch.
8️⃣ The victorious one
Sharing Jia Jia’s birthday month is Kai Kai (which means “victorious” in Chinese) who was born on 14 September 2007.
Kai Kai is active, amiable and obedient. He loves to eat carrots and likes licking his paws. Kai Kai also enjoys climbing trees and snoozing there sometimes.
Kai Kai has an ‘Onion Head’ which is created by a small tuft of fur on his head.
9️⃣ Engaging the young
As the Presenting Sponsor and Conservation Donor, CapitaLand is an active supporter of giant panda conservation efforts too.
CapitaLand’s philanthropic arm CapitaLand Hope Foundation has been educating underprivileged children about the importance of wildlife conservation through outreach activities.
? [INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY] Limited edition merch!
To celebrate Kai Kai and Jia Jia, say hello to these limited edition Kai Kai and Jia Jia plushies.
Want to own them? Now’s your chance! From 20 – 27 August 2021, we’ll be giving 3 lucky winners a chance to walk away with a pair of these adorable plushies each. ? Check out our Instagram (@CapitaLand) for details!
