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August 2006

Halcrow’s panda gives birth to twins

Halcrow is delighted to announce that its adopted panda gave birth to twins on Sunday 6 August 2006. Halcrow adopted a female panda at China’s Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in May 2005. The panda was named “He Le” meaning Halcrow.

Earlier this year the park helped He Le to find a mate with the hope that she would soon become a mother. He Le was the first panda to have a baby in Chengdu this year. The birth was straight forward with He Le bonding with the babies straight away.

After the medical examinations it was confirmed that both babies are male and weighed 169g and 119g. The mother and babies are doing well and are all in good health.

In 2005, Halcrow won the contract 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 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: “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 be associated with the park and the amazing work that they are doing.”

Halcrow has an ongoing commitment to the development of the central and western areas of China.

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