Panda Le Le’s bald patches? Hong Kong Ocean Park explains what’s behind it

Hong Kong Ocean Park has allayed concerns over patches of hair loss on giant panda Le Le’s back, saying those are for a regular ultrasound check.

The three bald patches were seen in footage of the 19-year-old giant panda, whose daily activities were being broadcast via live stream every day from 10am to 3pm since Wednesday.

“Le Le recently underwent a routine body check. The bald spot on his back is the area that was shaved for an ultrasound exam,” the park said in a social media post on the same day the live camera was launched.

One internet user asked if anything could be done to address Le Le’s hair loss, while another cited concerns raised by visitors about whether the bear suffered skin problems.

“It would be ideal to put up signage in the park explaining the reason for the bald spots. That could avoid misunderstandings,” wrote another internet user.

Le Le and his partner Ying Ying, the second pair of giant pandas Beijing gifted to Hong Kong in 2007, gave birth to a pair of twins “Elder Sister” and “Younger Brother” on August 15. The cubs were conceived naturally.