Ocean Park withdraws animal skin luxury watch, as NGO accuses park of putting profit before animals
Hong Kong Free Press
An animal rights group has slammed Ocean Park Hong Kong for “not caring about animals,” after the theme park suspended the sale of a panda-themed luxury watch following a backlash against its crocodile leather strap.
Ocean Park was “ready to cash in on cruel crocodile-skin products” until public outcry forced the product to be taken down, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) told HKFP on Friday.
The US activist group was referring to the HK$36,800 timepiece, a collaboration between Ocean Park and local tourbillon brand Memorigin. The silver luxury watch showcased six giant pandas of the theme park, with a 43-millimetre case and a crocodile leather strap.
“Ocean Park doesn’t care about animals – it cares about profits,” said Jason Baker, PETA’s Asia senior vice president. “PETA has long condemned Ocean Park for confining animals to artificial, restrictive environments that deprive them of the space, enrichment, and autonomy they need. If Ocean Park truly cared, it would accept PETA’s offer to move the animals it exploits to sanctuaries. Instead, dolphins, sea lions, and other animals remain trapped in tiny tanks, swimming back and forth in environments that are nothing like their natural homes.”
In a now-deleted Facebook post shared on Wednesday, Ocean Park said the watch was “both luxurious and comfortable” and ideal for daily wear. The watch was said to be available for sale at the theme park’s gift shop and a souvenir store in K11 Musea.
The watch sparked a heated debate on social media. Some people questioned why the theme park that promoted conservation – and had named a crocodile as its animal ambassador last year – would issue a product using animal skin.
See also: In Pictures: Hong Kong’s ‘panda economy’ at work as authorities hope bears can boost spending
On Thursday night, Ocean Park apologised to the public for the “insufficient sensitivity” of its team. It described the watch as a product that “did not fulfil the core value of conservation” and said it had been shelved immediately.
“That product has not been purchased by any consumer yet… we are currently discussing with the authorised partner about using other materials for the watch strap,” Ocean Park said in a Chinese-language statement published on Facebook.
Ocean Park added that it would conduct a “comprehensive internal review” and examine all product designs and purchase guidelines to ensure the operation of the theme park “matched with its conservation values.” Staff training and communication with authorised partner would be strengthened as well, it said.
It is unclear how the offending products may be disposed of. HKFP has reached out to Ocean Park for comment.
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