Typhoon Devastates Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park, Panda Brothers Are Safe

“On the first day after the typhoon, the panda brothers rushed over to me with enthusiasm; they seem to be doing well,” said Li Qing, the panda caregiver at Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park, on the afternoon of the 9th.

Recently, the super typhoon “Mahjong” caused severe damage to the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park located in the suburbs of Haikou, but the giant panda brothers, “Gonggong” and “Shunshun,” are reported to be safe and sound.

Typhoon Devastates Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park Panda Brothers Are Safe

Li Qing explained that the park is currently using generators to ensure the air conditioning in the panda exhibition area remains functional. The outdoor areas have been damaged by the typhoon, so the two brothers cannot go out for walks at the moment. During the storm, Gonggong and Shunshun were a bit “curious,” pressing against the glass to “listen to the rain.” After the typhoon passed, the brothers eagerly resumed playing on the swings, remaining as playful and lively as ever, with a good appetite. The park has plenty of their favorite bamboo varieties, including golden-splashed bamboo and fruit bamboo, and had stocked up on food for the pandas and other animals before the storm.

When reporters visited the park on the 9th, they observed that the tropical plant garden, which had been cultivated for 28 years, suffered severe damage, with once-accessible pathways now covered by fallen flowers, grasses, and trees.

Typhoon Devastates Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park Panda Brothers Are Safe 2

“Our main focus now is to clear the paths to the enclosures so that the animals can eat and drink,” said Shang Xiao, the chairman of Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park. He added that there were no casualties among staff or animals due to the typhoon, but over 90% of the park’s greenery has been destroyed.

Aside from the giant pandas, other animals in the park are also in good condition. Reporters observed an Asian elephant, affectionately called “Auntie Zhuangbu” by children, slowly walking around to relax and showing a good appetite. The red and white camels approached curiously when they heard people calling out.

Founded in 1996, Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park has accompanied generations of residents in Hainan, and its devastation from the typhoon has garnered widespread public attention. “Seeing the animals here, they are in much better condition than I expected,” said Lü Yakuai, a master’s student at Hainan University, who specifically brought bottled water, gloves, machetes, and hand saws from the city to assist in the park’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.