Halcrow sponsors panda

As part of a high-profile project in China to transform the Chengdu panda park, Halcrow has shown further commitment to the assignment by sponsoring one of the pandas.

Halcrow won the competition to design a transformation of the giant panda breeding and research base in Sichuan province into an ecological park with improved facilities for both the pandas and visiting public.

The sponsored panda is a female called He Le. She was born in 1999 and is a fully mature adult panda. In August 2004, she gave birth to her first baby and it is hopeful she will have another this autumn.

The research base was established in 1987 in order to stop the decline of the protected species and provide a safe environment for procreation. The base has bred over 90 baby pandas and has attracted worldwide publicity.

Halcrow’s design ensures greater privacy for the pandas while allowing limited public viewing areas, improved educational and conference facilities, and an expanded car park.

Halcrow announced the sponsorship at the unveiling of a plaque in the park. It was an ideal opportunity for members of the Halcrow team to see the park and meet He Le.

Bill Austin, Halcrow’s regional managing director for Asia Pacific commented at the event, “It was a delight to meet He Le. By sponsoring her, we are again showing our support and commitment to the park and helping raise awareness both nationally and internationally of pandas”

“We can educate people around the world about the panda itself as well as the work being done on the park. Our winning bid was based on the fact that we showed great sensitivity to the needs of the panda. We showed the right balance between trying to attract people to the park to boost the vital income and the welfare of the pandas”.

“This is a highly prestigious project and we are proud to have won it and be associated with the park and the amazing work that they are doing”.

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